Alaska Statehood

Front:
USA 20c FAIRBANKS JAN 1984 99701 1959-1984 Alaska Statehood 222 AK

Back:
When a massive, snow-covered terrain, known as Alaska, was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867, no one imagined the great contributions this icy land would make to America. However, Alaska has since proven to be bountiful in breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich natural resources. Indeed, this frigid land proved to be such a great asset to America, that on January 3, 1959, Alaska entered the Union as the forty- ninth state — the first new state in forty-seven years. Interestingly, Alaska is known as America's Last Frontier, because much of the land has yet to be explored or settled. In celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Alaska's statehood, the United States Postal Service is- sued the postage stamp that is featured on this Maximum Card. In addition to honoring Alaska's statehood, the colorful postage stamp focuses on the two-hundredth anniversary of the first permanent settlement in the state and on the one-hundredth anniversary of the state's first civil government. No. 84-1 ©1984 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Jim Butcher.