Product Review

The U.S. Postal Service issued this souvenir sheet of 10 self-adhesive, 37-cent Pacific Coral Reef stamps on January 2, 2004 in Honolulu, HI. The stamps were designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD and illustrated by John D. Dawson of Hilo, HI. These Pacific Coral Reef stamps are the 6th in the Nature of America Series, designed to promote education and appreciation of North America's major plant and animal communities. A description of this type of coral reef community and a numbered key to the artwork appear on the back of the sheet, along with a corresponding list of common and scientific names for the 27 selected species. This new issue portrays a typical coral reef near the US territory of Guam. To illustrate the diversity of species associated with a coral reef, artist John D. Dawson portrayed more than 30 different kinds of marine animals in his colorful painting. Although the scene itself is imaginary, all species and interactions are appropriate and were recommended by scientists.