Welcome To Gallery Seven
Just wanted to let everyone know Gallery Seven is now up. Highlighted by 75 different fish and game stamps issued by the U.S. Department of Defense for Vandenberg Air Force Base (see Figure 1), it can be reached by clicking on Galleries beneath the Home page banner, then clicking on “Gallery Seven“.
Figure 1. Hunting license stamp issued for VAFB in 1968-69.
Once there, you will find a short introduction for each series. I have had time to write a little more now, than when we were preparing to launch the entire site in April (including the first six galleries). After reading the introductions, click on the images to enter the individual galleries. Once inside the individual galleries, you have several options for viewing.
If you click on a thumbnail the image will expand in size. From there, you can navigate through the galleries using the forward and back arrows located at the right and left sides of your screen; you may also choose to click on the slide show symbol located at the lower right of the image (it looks like a triangle facing right). Once the slide show is running, the symbol turns into a pause button.
You may also choose to go full screen by clicking the symbol located at the upper left of the image (looks like arrows extending in four different directions). To get back to the thumbs, click the “x” symbol at the upper right of the image or click on the page outside of the image.
Also found in Gallery Seven, are 30 different Indiana hunting and fishing licenses issued between 1902 and 1931 (see Figure 2). Indiana used many different forms during this period and the series does a nice job of showing the evolution in visual appearance of U.S. licenses during the first three decades of the twentieth Century.
Figure 2. Indiana Resident Hunter’s License for 1907.
Next up are the Montana Bow and Arrow (archery) hunting stamps issued from 1953 through 1968 (see Figure 3). This is considered one of the classic U.S. fish and game series and the gallery contains a number of stamps that are seldom seen.
Figure 3. Montana Bow and Arrow hunting stamp for 1967-68.
Next we have the set of Marion County, Kansas duck stamp blocks of four that was formed by Charles Bellinghausen from the box of remainders he received from the County Clerk. Most issues are represented starting with 1954 and continuing through 1972 (see Figure 4). The 1973 block is now part of the Will and Abby Csaplar collection and may be viewed by clicking on Exhibits and then selecting A License and Stamp System for Waterfowl Conservation in the 20th Century U.S.
While you are there, I would encourage you to take some time and look at all of the exhibits as the write-ups on the exhibit pages are very informative.
Figure 4. Marion County duck stamp for 1972, block of four.
The Pennsylvania trout stamp series can also be found in Gallery Seven and I have taken the time to explain the fee structure for these stamps and how it changed through the years. A couple of real treats are in store next; the Jerry Koepp Iowa trout stamp complete panes and the Les Lebo Tennesse big game essays and proofs (see Figures 5 and 6).
I have shown some of these items in previous exhibits and others may be found on different pages throughout this website. However, this is the first time they have ever been presented all together for everyone to enjoy.
Figure 5. Complete pane of the first Iowa trout stamp, issued for the 1961-62 season.
Figure 6. Combination trial color essay and proof for the 1957-58 Tennessee big game stamp.
To conclude Gallery Seven, we have a complete set of California hunting license validating stamps with NO FEE overprints and California waterfowl application stamps issued from 1986 through 1997.
The hunting license validation stamps are kind of fascinating in that they were overprinted and distributed to disabled veterans, who were entitled by California State Law to hunt at no charge for the rest of their lives (see Figure 7). I feel the stamps pay tribute to our veterans and, therefore, may be seen as a very patriotic part of our hobby.
Figure 7. Stamp issued to disabled veterans in 1970-71.
The California waterfowl application stamps were used to fund an exciting new program started in 1985 (see Figure 8). At this time, hunters were allowed to make a separate application for every day that every different state owned or operated waterfowl management area was open for hunting. This tremendously increased the chances for sportsmen to be selected to hunt in what was essentially a waterfowl hunt lottery.
Figure 8. California waterfowl application stamp for 1986-87.
We hope you enjoy Gallery Seven and, over time, will look through the others. The galleries are designed to be an integral part of your resource for fish and game stamps, licenses and prints.
At this point, the various stamp and license series have been placed randomly throughout the galleries. We wish for you to explore and, perhaps, see something of interest that you would not have otherwise run across.