2011 Save Vanishing Species Amur Tiger Stamps
Save Vanishing Species Stamp
On September 20, 2011, the USPS issued its fourth semipostal stamp, to raise money wildlife conservation.
As early as 2000, the World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society proposed the USPS create a semipostal stamp to help raise money for wildlife conservation. Their efforts paid off when Congress passed the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semi-postal Stamp Act of 2010.
Issued on September 20, 2011, the semi-postal stamp pictures an Amur tiger. Also known as the Siberian tiger, the Amur once roamed Western and Central Asia. Their organs and bones, used in Asian medicine, and their lush pelts made them a profitable target for poachers.
During the 20th century, the Amur tiger vanished from several nations and its wild population became nearly extinct throughout the region. Today, only a few hundred are known to roam freely. The image of an Amur tiger cub was made by Nancy Stahl, the artist behind more than 20 US postage stamps. She used photographs of the species as inspiration for the stamp.
The Save Vanishing Species semi-postal stamp sold for 11¢ more than the first-class postage rate at the time. The additional funds were given to the US Fish and Wildlife Service to support worldwide conservation efforts. They, in turn, gave the funds to the Wildlife Without Borders program, which funds conservation efforts, both inside and outside the US. The program issues grants to five different multinational groups involved in protecting elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, marine turtles, and great apes. By joining conservation agencies from around the world, the United States is able to cross borders to reverse the threat of extinction to these animals.
According to a WWF representative, “This is an easy way for individuals to use their purchasing power to help save vanishing species every time they mail a letter. By purchasing these stamps, anyone can play a direct role in protecting some of our most iconic and endangered wildlife.”
The original law made the stamp available from September 2011 until December 2013. During that time, over 25 million stamps were sold, raising over $2.75 million dollars. In 2014, President Obama signed a bill reauthorizing the Save Vanishing Species stamp to continue sales through 2018. As of July 2018, the stamp has raised over $5.2 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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