This Listing is for ONE NEW Sheet of 10 Great Lakes Dunes 42¢ Stamps from 2008.

Mint. MNH. No flaws.

On October 2, 2008, the U.S. Postal Service issued this sheet of Great Lakes Dunes self-adhesive 42¢ stamps in Empire, MI - the 10th issuance in the Nature of America series of educational stamps to promote appreciation for the beauty of 12 different North American ecosystems. These large sheets (9.2" x 6.7") were designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, and illustrated with beautiful paintings by artist and naturalist John D. Dawson of Hilo, HI. Each sheet consists of a large panoramic image of a U.S. geographical region, with the region’s flora and fauna clearly visible. Ten stamps were die cut on to the design, each composing one or more species indigenous to the depicted ecosystem. The back of the sheet has a brief descriptive text, accompanied by a graphic outline of the stamp images. The flora and fauna depicted are identified and labeled with both their common and Latin names.

The Great Lakes Dunes make up one of Earth's largest freshwater dune systems, and are found near all five of the Great Lakes. The artwork on this sheet depicts a scene at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, (encompassing thousands of acres on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan and two nearby islands); and includes 27 animal and plant species native to this region. The 10 die cut stamps on this sheet include: the Vesper Sparrow, Evening Primrose and Sand Cherry; Red Fox; Piping Plover; Eastern Hognose Snake and Hairy Puccoon; Common Mergansers and Pitcher's Thistle; Spotted Sandpiper and American Sea-rocket; Tiger Beetle and Harebell; White-footed Mouse; Piping Plover Nestlings, Pitcher's Thistle and Beach Pea; and the Red Admiral Butterfly and Petoskey Stones.