Roger Tory Peterson’s Stamp Art

Explore works by the acclaimed naturalist and artist and learn about his work producing wildlife conservation stamps.

By U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

Goshawk (1962) by Roger Tory PetersonU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

Roger Tory Peterson was a renowned American naturalist and artist. His Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America and other guides revolutionized the way Americans look at and identify birds in the wild.

Among Peterson’s other contributions to the conservation community was his work as art director of the National Wildlife Federation’s conservation stamps program.

Cactus Wren Conservation Stamp (1956) by National Wildlife Federation and Roger Tory PetersonU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

Conservation stamps were wildly popular among the American public and were distributed for decades to raise awareness of, and funds for, wildlife conservation.

As the art director, Peterson received hundreds of paintings every year and chose which ones would become stamp designs. Among his selection criteria, Peterson is said to have looked for paintings with “good design, color, and movement in space.”

American Bittern, Roger Tory Peterson, 1956, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

'I'iwi, Roger Tory Peterson, 1961, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

Redwinged Blackbird, Roger Tory Peterson, 1960, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

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Luna Moth (1956) by Roger Tory PetersonU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

Selecting a variety of species was also important to Peterson. Even snakes and spiders were included, as he believed “no form of wildlife is taboo.”

Peterson himself painted the designs for over 200 stamps from the 1930s-1980s. Many were of birds, his most well-known subject.

Ross's Goose, Roger Tory Peterson, 1953, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

National Wildlife Conservation Stamps Sheet, National Wildlife Federation, Various artists, 1953, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

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Among his other subjects were turtles, plants, and butterflies.

Spotted Turtle, Roger Tory Peterson, 1951, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

Showy Lady's Slipper, Roger Tory Peterson, 1961, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

Milbert's Tortoise Shell, Roger Tory Peterson, 1967, From the collection of: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

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Woodcock (1956) by Roger Tory PetersonU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum

In addition to showcasing the beauty of nature, Peterson also saw the stamps as an “extraordinary educational tool,” which undoubtedly contributed to the program’s mission of fostering appreciation for all wildlife.

Credits: Story

Allen, Thomas B. Guardian of the Wild – The Story of the National Wildlife Federation, 1936-1986. 1987. Indiana University Press. Bloomington and Indianapolis, IL.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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