Front:
SMOKEY
USA 20c
NM
CAPITAN
13
1984
88316
Back:
The thick, choking smoke was finally clearing from a
terrible forest fire that blackened the Lincoln National
Forest in New Mexico when fire fighters spotted a
frightened little bear cub clinging to a charred tree.
Because the young cub was a victim of the terrible
destruction of forest fires, he later became known as
“Smokey" after the famous póster bear who cautions all
Americans that “Only YOU can prevent forest fires." The
adorable bear cub was taken to live in the National Zoo
in Washington, D.C. where he became the living symbol
of Smokey Bear. Today, Smokey Bear is loved by young
and old alike as the symbolic protector of America's
forests and the little creatures who live there. In fact,
Smokey has provided an invaluable service to America
by helping to reduce the amount of destroyed wilderness
areas from ten million acres in 1942 ... to only three
million acres in 1981. In honor of Smokey Bear's fortieth
birthday and his dedication to preserving America's
beautiful wilderness areas, the Postal Service issued the
No. 84-36
©1984 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Dick Simms.
