US #3193
1998 Southern Magnolia

From set picturing flowering trees from different geographical regions
Issued the day before spring
Features original paintings made to look like old prints

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Flowering Trees
Value: 32¢, first Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: March 19, 1998
First Day City: New York, New York
Quantity Issued: 50,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, microprinting
Format: Pane of 20
Perforations: Die Cut 11.3

Why the stamp was issued: This is part of a set of stamps featuring five flowering trees from different regions of North America.

About the stamp design: John Dawson, a wildlife and nature artist created five original paintings in the style of old-fashioned botanical prints. Each stamp shows the tree’s blossom, leaves, stem, and fruit. The Latin and English names are at the bottom of the stamp.

Special design details: Each stamp contains a microprinted “USPS” hidden within the design. On the Southern magnolia stamp, it is on the fruit.

First Day City: The Flowering Trees stamps were dedicated during the opening of the Postage Stamp Mega-Event held in New York City.

About the Flowering Trees set: The set includes flowering trees found in different areas of the US. The Southern magnolia is found along the coastal plains of the southeastern US. The blue paloverde prefers the dry climate of the American Southwest. The yellow poplar is the only tulip tree native to North America. It grows in the East and Midwest. As the name suggests, the prairie crab apple is found in the prairies of the Midwest. The fifth tree is the Pacific dogwood, which grows in the river bottomlands and mountain slopes in the West.

History the stamp represents: One of the more familiar species of its family, the southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is native to the coastal plains of the southeastern United States. This ornamental tree can be found from North Carolina to Texas, especially along riverbanks and in other moist places. It is often planted in parks and gardens as well.
The southern magnolia is considered one of the most magnificent ornamental trees in the American forest. The tree is identified easily by its persistent green leaves, with their rust color underneath. Both its leaves and flowers can grow to be 8 to 10 inches in size. The southern magnolia is known for its large, fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring. These flowers are often shaped like a cup and grow at the tips of the branches. The seeds of the magnolia tree hang by silky white threads from cone-like fruit. This is a moderately fast-growing evergreen, usually reaching a height of 60 to 90 feet.
Besides being valued as an ornamental tree, the magnolia is cultivated for its timber. Magnolia wood is both heavy and hard. The southern magnolia is the state tree and flower of Mississippi, and the state flower of Louisiana.

US #3193
1998 Southern Magnolia

From set picturing flowering trees from different geographical regions
Issued the day before spring
Features original paintings made to look like old prints

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Flowering Trees
Value: 32¢, first Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: March 19, 1998
First Day City: New York, New York
Quantity Issued: 50,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, microprinting
Format: Pane of 20
Perforations: Die Cut 11.3

Why the stamp was issued: This is part of a set of stamps featuring five flowering trees from different regions of North America.

About the stamp design: John Dawson, a wildlife and nature artist created five original paintings in the style of old-fashioned botanical prints. Each stamp shows the tree’s blossom, leaves, stem, and fruit. The Latin and English names are at the bottom of the stamp.

Special design details: Each stamp contains a microprinted “USPS” hidden within the design. On the Southern magnolia stamp, it is on the fruit.

First Day City: The Flowering Trees stamps were dedicated during the opening of the Postage Stamp Mega-Event held in New York City.

About the Flowering Trees set: The set includes flowering trees found in different areas of the US. The Southern magnolia is found along the coastal plains of the southeastern US. The blue paloverde prefers the dry climate of the American Southwest. The yellow poplar is the only tulip tree native to North America. It grows in the East and Midwest. As the name suggests, the prairie crab apple is found in the prairies of the Midwest. The fifth tree is the Pacific dogwood, which grows in the river bottomlands and mountain slopes in the West.

History the stamp represents: One of the more familiar species of its family, the southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is native to the coastal plains of the southeastern United States. This ornamental tree can be found from North Carolina to Texas, especially along riverbanks and in other moist places. It is often planted in parks and gardens as well.
The southern magnolia is considered one of the most magnificent ornamental trees in the American forest. The tree is identified easily by its persistent green leaves, with their rust color underneath. Both its leaves and flowers can grow to be 8 to 10 inches in size. The southern magnolia is known for its large, fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring. These flowers are often shaped like a cup and grow at the tips of the branches. The seeds of the magnolia tree hang by silky white threads from cone-like fruit. This is a moderately fast-growing evergreen, usually reaching a height of 60 to 90 feet.
Besides being valued as an ornamental tree, the magnolia is cultivated for its timber. Magnolia wood is both heavy and hard. The southern magnolia is the state tree and flower of Mississippi, and the state flower of Louisiana.