Nature of America Series USA Postage Stamps (1999 ? 2010 Issued 10 count single sheets) ? Designer: Ethel Kessler ? Illustrator: John D, Dawson Longleaf Pine Forest USA Postage Stamps (2002 4th Sheet Issued in Nature of America Series) ? Date Place of 1st Issue: April 26, 2002 Tallahassee, Florida ? Stamps per Sheet: 10 ? MSR per Stamp: 34 cents ? Printer: American Packaging Corp. for Sennet Security The original idea in 1996 was for a set of four American desert stamps. John D, Dawson, who had illustrated other stamps for the postal service, was promoted for the project. From four single stamps, the concept grew to six single sheet murals of different eco-systems. Due to the commercial success of the early issues, the project added six more eco-systems. Before the issue of the Nature of America Series, stamp sheets were issued printed with gummed backs punched-dot perforations between stamps. The design team felt that the old production method would distract from the mural ecosystem presentation of the Nature Series, so they created self-adhesive stamps die cut onto the non-stick backing. The self-adhesive stamp has since become the standard method of stamp production. This design allowed the back of the sheet to replicate the front and identify the flora and fauna in the mural. No stamps have been removed from the sheet, therefore none have cancellation marks. In the original packaging from the Post Office, this sheet has spent over 20 years supported by a cardboard sheet within a sealed plastic wrapper. ? Size: 9? x 8" sheet, Scott catalog: 3677. ? Condition: Fine (As New) Stamp Sheet ? 1st Edition. Always privately owned. No markings. Copyright 2002. First Edition.