1970 6c Anti-Pollution

U.S. #1410-13
6¢ Anti-Pollution
Set of 4
Issue Date: October 28, 1970
City: San Clemente, CA
Quantity: 40,400,000
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Color: Multicolored

This block of four stamps was issued in 1970 to help raise awareness about environmental protection at a time when concern for pollution and conservation was growing across the country. The stamps came out around the same time as the very first Earth Day, a new event meant to encourage Americans to think more carefully about how everyday actions affect the natural world. Each stamp in the block focuses on a different part of the environment, addressing soil, cities, water, and air, and together they highlight how connected these issues were seen to be.

Every stamp features an image of the Earth alongside a photograph representing its theme. The soil stamp shows a field of golden wheat, while the cities stamp includes a public playground surrounded by tall buildings, showing how green space could exist even in an urban setting. The water stamp features a fish swimming underwater, and the air stamp shows a seagull soaring above the clouds. Bold black text at the top of each stamp reads the message tied to its theme, while the bottom of each stamp spells out the denomination of six cents.

This colorful and message driven set reflects a period when the postal service began using stamps to promote public awareness campaigns rather than only honoring historical figures or events.

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