The U.S. Postal Service issued 15 new World of Dinosaur postage stamps at the same time a new dinosaur exhibit, Utahraptor, opened at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park in Vernal.
Illustrated by James Gurney of Rhinebeck, N.Y., the stamp murals are available in full sheets of 15 for $4.80 and feature 15 prehistoric animals."From the huge, goose-necked brachiosaurus to the recently discovered `can-opener-nosed' einiosaurus, we expect the two fantastic scenes depicted on these souvenir sheets of stamps will kindle among our youth a spirit of wonder . . . ," said Postmaster General Marvin Runyon.
Meanwhile in Vernal, officials at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park said the Utah-raptor, a replica of the monsters that once lived along the Colorado Plateau near Moab, is a permanent exhibit in the Dinosaur Gardens of the state park.
"We now have 18 replicas of dinosaurs at Dinosaur Gardens. They are life-size dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals," said LuRae Caldwell, gift shop and office manager at the park.
David Thomas, sculptor of the new exhibit, presented a lecture May 2 in Vernal, where the second-day issue of the stamp was held. First-day issue was held May 1 in Grand Junction, Colo. Third-day of issue was Monday at the College of Eastern Utah's Prehistoric Museum in Price.
A distinctive, full-color, cacheted envelope is also available for purchase for $10 (envelope only) from the Dinosaur Garden committee in Vernal. The dinosaur exhibit came to Vernal through the efforts of a number of local organizations. They include the Rodeo Committee, Rotary Club, Current Topics Club, Dinosaurland Travel Board, Utah Travel Council, Discovery School students and individual contributions.
Grand Junction, located in the well-known "Dinosaur Triangle" of western Colorado and northeastern Utah, has been become famous for it many dinosaur excavation sites, exhibits, fossil trails and archaeological activities.