1982 - State Birds and Flowers

In 1978 wildlife artists Arthur Singer and his son Alan were commissioned to produce 50 original paintings of each state's bird along w/ the state flower.  Arthur painted the birds and Alan painted the flowers.  Even though North Carolina and Virginia have the same state bird and state flower, each has it's own unique picture.  The U.S. Postal Service officials saw the paintings and issued a pane of the 50 paintings.  First Day of issue was from each state's capital on April 14, 1982.  13.3 million stamps were produced  Scott # 1953 - 2002