Inventory of the Rudolph Wendelin Stamp Collection, 1958 – 1964
Descriptive Summary
Abstract: Rudolph “Rudy” Wendelin (1910-2000) was an artist for the U.S. Forest Service and is probably most well known for popularizing the U.S. Forest Service’s mascot Smokey Bear. During his time with the U.S. Forest Service, he designed several stamp series related to significant figures and events in conservation and forestry.
This collection contains first day issuance copies of four U.S. postage stamp series designed by Rudy Wendelin. The series feature: Forest Conservation (1958), The World Forestry Congress (1960), Range Conservation (1961), and John Muir (1964). Most stamps have been placed on commemorative envelopes featuring other artwork related to the stamp’s topic, with some containing cards noting information about the event the stamp is related to. The World Forestry Congress series includes stamp booklets from the United Nations Postal Administration. The collection also contains a flier of “U.S. Stamps of Interest to Smokey’s Friends” and a letter from Richard E. McArdle, the 8th Chief of the Forest Service, explaining the reason for issuing the Range Conservation stamp.
Title: Rudolph Wendelin Stamp Collection, 1958 – 1964
Creator: McArdle, Richard Edwin, 1899-1983
Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives
Call Number: 2017-003
Language of Material: Material in English
Extent: .2 linear ft. (1 archival box)
Biographical and Historical Note
Rudolph “Rudy” Wendelin (1910-2000) was an artist for the U.S. Forest Service and is probably most well known for popularizing the U.S. Forest Service’s mascot Smokey Bear. During his time with the U.S. Forest Service, he designed several stamp series related to significant figures and events in conservation and forestry. (See also: Inventory of the Rudolph Wendelin Papers, 1930–2005.)
The Forest Conservation stamp, issued on October 27, 1958, was created to commemorate the Conservation Caravan, a train and bus trip that occurred October 23-27, 1958. The trip began in Chicago, Illinois, and ended in Tucson, Arizona, where the 83rd Annual Convention of the American Forestry Association was held on October 27, 1958. Participants in the trip explored several points of interest along the way including major waterways and the Grand Canyon. This stamp also commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Theodore Roosevelt, a significant figure in the history of American conservation.
The World Forest Congress stamps commemorate the fifth meeting of the Congress, which took place on August 29, 1960, in Seattle, Washington, and marked the first time the Congress was held in the Western Hemisphere. The World Forest Congress was created under the auspice of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a forum to share knowledge around the conservation and management of forests throughout the world. The theme of the 1960 Congress was “Multiple Use of Forest Lands”.
The Range Conservation stamp was issued in conjunction with the 1961 annual meeting of the American Society of Range Management, which took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 2, 1961. This organization works to protect and preserve lands and watersheds used for raising livestock and brings together ranchers and conservation agencies for the scientific use and management of range lands.
The John Muir stamp commemorates Muir’s far reaching impact on the field of conservation. He is credited with introducing President Theodore Roosevelt to the Sierra Nevada and influencing his thinking on conservation, both of which were instrumental in Roosevelt’s creation of many national parks and national forests. This stamp was first issued on April 29, 1964, in Martinez, California, a location considered home to Muir.
This collection was created by Richard E. McArdle (1899-1983), who served as the 8th Chief of the Forest Service from 1952-1962. McArdle was the first chief to hold a Ph.D. During his tenure he pushed for long-range plans for national forests and the research branches of the Forest Service and hired new specialists to make management more intensive and increase professionalism of employees.
Note: Historical information above was drawn from the following sources: (1) “The Conservation Caravan – Arizona Bound” by Fred O. Smoyer, American Forests, December, 1958. (2) “Conservationism John Muir Honored” American Forests, June, 1964.
Collection Overview
This collection contains first day issuance copies of four U.S. postage stamp series designed by Rudy Wendelin. The series feature: Forest Conservation (1958), The World Forestry Congress (1960), Range Conservation (1961), and John Muir (1964). Most stamps have been placed on commemorative envelopes featuring other artwork related to the stamp’s topic, with some containing cards noting information about the event the stamp is related to. The World Forestry Congress series includes stamp booklets from the United Nations Postal Administration. The collection also contains a flier of “U.S. Stamps of Interest to Smokey’s Friends” and a letter from Richard E. McArdle, the 8th Chief of the Forest Service, explaining the reason for issuing the Range Conservation stamp.
Collection Arrangement
- 1. Forest Conservation Stamp, 1958
- 2. World Forestry Congress Stamps, 1960
- 3. Range Conservation Stamp, 1961
- 4. John Muir Conservationist Stamp, 1964
Subject Headings
- American Society of Range Management
- Forest conservation
- McArdle, Richard Edwin, 1899-
- Muir, John, 1838-1914
- Roosevelt, Theodore
- Russell, Charles Marion, 1864-1926
- United Nations
- United States. Forest Service
- Wendelin, Rudolph, 1910-2000
- Wendelin, Rudy
- World Forestry Congress
Detailed Description of the Collection
1. Forest Conservation Stamp, 1958.
Includes 11 copies of 4 cent postage stamps, first day of issue with Tucson, AZ, October 27, 1958 9am postmark. Seven stamps are placed on envelopes addressed to Richard E. McArdle. Three different envelope designs are include, all commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Theodore Roosevelt. One envelope is marked with a notice for the Conservation Caravan and contains an announcement for the American Forestry Association’s 83rd annual meeting in Tucson, AZ. Also included is a pamphlet from the State Forestry Department and Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, which lists Forest Conservation stamp and other stamps of “interest to Smokey’s friends.”
Forest Conservation stamp, 1958.
2. World Forestry Congress Stamps, 1960.
Includes 9 copies of 4 cent postage stamp commemorating the Fifth World Forestry Congress, first day of issue postmarked Seattle, WA, August 29, 1960 9am and 1 copy of 4 cent stamp United Nations version of Fifth World Forestry Congress first day of issue postmarked United Nations, NY, August 29, 1960 9am. These stamps are placed on envelopes commemorating Fifth World Forestry Congress Seattle, Washington August 29 to September 10, 1960. Two contain cards for the Congress and one contains a card for the National Wildlife Federation. Two Fifth World Forestry Congress Commemorative Stamps booklets are also included, each containing 3 different stamps: 1) a 4 cent Fifth World Forestry Congress stamp with Seattle postmark, 2) a 4 cent version of the United Nations stamps, with United Nations postmark, and 3) an 8 cent version of the United Nations stamps, with United Nations postmark.
3. Range Conservation Stamp, 1961.
Includes 7 copies of 4 cent postage stamp for range conservation, featuring Charlie Russel’s “Trail Boss” painting. Stamps are placed on envelopes contain 3 different designs commemorating range conservation and American Society of Range Management National Convention. Five include first day of issue Salt Lake City, UT, February 2, 1961 9am postmarks. Two include Washington, D.C. February 3, 1961 9am postmarks. Also included is a letter from Richard E. McArdle with an explanation of why this stamp was issued.
Range Conservation stamp, 1960.
4. John Muir Conservationist Stamp, 1964.
Includes 2 copies of 5 cent postage stamps with first day of issue Martinez, CA, April 29, 1964 postmarks. Stamps are on envelopes also commemorating John Muir and signed by Rudy Wendelin.
John Muir stamp, 1964.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
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The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Rudolph Wendelin Stamp Collection, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Received from Richard N. McArdle, grandson of collection creator Richard E. McArdle, in January 2017.
Processing Information
Processed by Christin Lampkowski, April 2017.
Encoded by Christin Lampkowski, April 2017.
