The stamp reproduces a famous piece of wildlife art created by John James Audubon (1785–1851). It depicts two magnificent Black-throated Magpie-Jays (historically called "Columbia Jays") perched on a vine-covered tree branch. Audubon originally rendered these birds for Plate 96 in his legendary masterpiece, The Birds of America (1827–1838). Audubon’s Columbia Jays was so wildly popular when first adapted for a 5-cent commemorative stamp in 1963 that the Post Office Department decided to reissue the artwork in 1967 in a vertical airmail format with updated pricing. Issued specifically to cover the 20-cent international airmail rate for a half-ounce letter sent to Europe, North Africa, and parts of South America in the late 1960s.

United States · 1967

Audubon's "Columbia Jays"

Issued by the United States Post Office Department

Used example not available.

The stamp reproduces a famous piece of wildlife art created by John James Audubon (1785–1851). It depicts two magnificent Black-throated Magpie-Jays (historically called "Columbia Jays") perched on a vine-covered tree branch. Audubon originally rendered these birds for Plate 96 in his legendary masterpiece, The Birds of America (1827–1838).

Audubon’s Columbia Jays was so wildly popular when first adapted for a 5-cent commemorative stamp in 1963 that the Post Office Department decided to reissue the artwork in 1967 in a vertical airmail format with updated pricing. Issued specifically to cover the 20-cent international airmail rate for a half-ounce letter sent to Europe, North Africa, and parts of South America in the late 1960s.

Designer: Paul Calle
Printer: Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
Printing method: Multicolor Line Engraving / Photogravure
Approach: Engraving
Palette