Design For Save Vanishing Species Semi-Postal

It was the "Scouting" stamp that did it for me.

Am I a lone voice in the (tiger filled) wilderness?
I actually quite like the tiger illustration. Its a little cutsey, perhaps, but then it is of a tiger cub. I find it clean and modern, and I like the colour combination. Its a particular graphic style, but I don't find it cartoon-like.
I do agree about many modern issues in many countries not having the appeal of older ones. But I don't think this is a particularily bad example.
Smauggie - what was the scouting stamp?

I agree. Has anyone taken notice of where the proceeds from the last three semi-postals went? The Dept. of Defense got some of the Breast Cancer Research funds (?); FEMA got the funds from the Heroes stamp; and the Dept. of Health and Human Services got the funds from the Stop Family Violence stamp. No one ever accounts for what the funds are spent on, though.

I wouldn't be surprised if the next one we see a US semi-postal to lower the National Debt!

I think it is a good step into modern stamp design. You have to think what was the thought behind the design, why is the stamp being sold and how best to appeal to the people who will choose to buy the stamp?

I think it works well. Understated, not too flashy at all, subtle reminder of what is at stake and leaving the spot light on you the purchaser and the person who can make a difference. Lovely.

I would like to see the sheet or booklet to see if they added any extra designs to the selvage or booklet.

It doesn't strike me as cartoon-like at all. More beseeching, fading into the shadows, can you still see me? How about now? When will you stop seeing me? You go and buy one of these stamps and you help people to see the missing Amur tiger cub. The more stamps the more people see. Very refreshing.

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Here is the wording from the USPS web site:

#576640
$11.00 (Pane of 20, 55c, first class rate)
The U.S. Postal Service is proud to offer the Save Vanishing Speciesâ„¢ Semipostal stamp. Featuring a bold graphic of an Amur tiger cub, the artwork depicts just one of the magnificent animals that this stamp is designed to help. Your purchase benefits conservation funds that are helping create hope for the future.

Under the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010, the Postal Service will transfer the net proceeds from the sale of these stamps to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. The funds include:

* African Elephant Conservation Fund: Elephants capture our imagination, but poaching and loss of habitat have taken their future hostage. The African elephant population has shrunk dramatically, and while conservation efforts have stabilized the elephant population in southern Africa, much remains to be done.
* Asian Elephant Conservation Fund: Asian elephants also face habitat issues. Conservation efforts have assisted in developing land use strategies that will benefit both man and animal, allowing both to flourish together.
* Great Ape Conservation Fund: Endlessly fascinating, great apes are especially vulnerable. Orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos are all at risk. Conservation efforts address issues of habitat loss, poaching, and disease in hopes of saving these amazing creatures.
* Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund: Powerful and compelling, the rhinoceros and tiger are targeted by poachers and pressured by human civilization. Conservation programs have helped bring Africa’s white rhino population back to more than 17,000 and improved poaching detection and prosecution to stem the loss of tigers in various localities.
* Marine Turtle Conservation Fund: For more than 100 million years, the ancestors of marine turtles swam the oceans. Yet in less than a century, exploitation and habitat destruction have devastated their numbers. Conservation projects work toward the goal of restoring large numbers of these ancient, intriguing creatures to the world’s oceans.

Derry Noyes served as the art director, designer, and typographer for the stamp. She worked with artist Nancy Stahl to develop one powerful illustration to symbolize the plight of all of these imperiled animals. The Amur tiger cub shown in the stamp art is one of five tiger subspecies. When full grown, this cat can weigh up to 650 pounds and measure 13 feet from its nose to the tip of its tail.
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Still no sign of availability of approved Save Vanishing Species Semi Postal stamp approved by Congress in 1st week of September 2014? What happened to stock pulled when the original expired? Destroyed? Will it be reissued with 2014 or 2015 date?

Stock was retained at all post offices and at Stamp Fulfillment Services. There was estimated to be 75 million +/- stamps still available for sale once reauthorization was approved. It was not to be reprinted with a 2014 or 2015 date, as the intent was that the stamp reauthorization of sales could be had with little or no cost to the USPS.

See below: