Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Endangered Species 2011













To view the high resolution images,  click on the images above

On 7 September 2011, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued a set of 12 stamps depicting endangered species. These are the nineteenth set of stamps in UNPA's multi-year Endangered Species series. The series was launched on 3 March 1993 to highlight the need for the protection of endangered species throughout the world. This year the endangered species feature endangered birds.

The Designs 
The 44-cent stamps depict the following endangered species: 
Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) 
California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) 
Black-fronted piping-guan (Pipile jacutinga) 
Japanese crane (Grus japonensis)

The F.s.1.00 stamps depict the following endangered species: 
Kakapo (Strigops habroptila) 
Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) 
Black stork (Ciconia nigra) 
Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

The € 0.70 stamps depict the following endangered species: 
Red-fronted parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) 
White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) 
Black palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) 
Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

Further details about each species is located towards the end of this post.

Special First Day Cancellations

On 7 September 2011, first day cancellations for the Endangered Species stamps were available at United Nations Headquarters in New York; the Palais des Nations, Geneva; and the Vienna International Centre as seen in the scanned FDCs' above.

Limited Edition-Special First Day Cover 

To commemorate the 2011 Endangered Species stamp series, a limited edition first day cover in silk has been produced by UNPA. A single stamp, one from each office, is affixed and cancelled, as appropriate, from New York, Geneva or Vienna. The covers are consecutively numbered.

Printing: 
The stamps were printed in offset lithography by Joh. Enschedé Stamps Security Printers B.V. (Netherlands) 

Format: 39.2 mm horizontally x 28.6 mm vertically 

Perforation: 12 ½ x 12 ¾ 

The Designer

The 2011 Endangered Species stamps were designed by Wendy Wray (U.S.A.). After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dress design from the Art Institute in Chicago, the multi-talented Wendy Wray ran off to Paris for a few years and eventually returned stateside to hang out with the Max's Kansas City/Warhol crew in New York City. Turning her interests towards graphite, and eventually pastel, her trademark work has been heralded for 30 years for its intense details. Ms. Wray most frequently renders intricate images of animals and thoughtful, introspective portraits of people. The peripatetic artist now proudly resides in Denver. These are Ms. Wray's first stamp designs for the United Nations.

Further Details About Each Species

Click on the images below to magnify the description.






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