In stock · No. BIGGIE RUN 286
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DESCRIPTION
Capture the natural splendor of Pennsylvania's wildlife with this vintage 1973 chrome postcard featuring a magnificent Chinese Ringneck Pheasant from Lancaster County. This striking image showcases a male pheasant in his full glory displaying the vibrant plumage that has made this game bird a favorite among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
This postcard is part of the prestigious 'Splendor of Pennsylvania' series (card #001) by respected wildlife photographer Jerry Irwin whose signature appears in the lower right corner of the image. The pheasant is captured in perfect profile standing alert in verdant green grass showcasing its distinctive red face white neck ring and richly patterned body with copper blue cream and brown feathers.
What makes this postcard particularly special is its status as card #001 in the series – the lead card that introduces collectors to this celebration of Pennsylvania's natural heritage. The Chinese Ringneck Pheasant while not native to Pennsylvania has become an iconic part of the state's hunting tradition and rural landscape since its introduction in the early 20th century.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Chinese Ringneck Pheasant holds a special place in Pennsylvania's sporting heritage as one of the most prized upland game birds in the state. First successfully introduced to the United States in the 1880s these magnificent birds thrived particularly well in Lancaster County's diverse agricultural landscape.
By the 1970s when this postcard was produced the pheasant had become synonymous with Pennsylvania field sports and represented an important economic and recreational resource for the state. The birds' preference for Lancaster County's mix of croplands hedgerows and woodlots made this region particularly noted for pheasant hunting opportunities.
This postcard serves as a time capsule of Pennsylvania's wildlife management and sporting traditions during a period when wild pheasant populations were still abundant. In subsequent decades changes in farming practices and habitat loss would significantly reduce wild pheasant numbers making this documentation of the species in its Lancaster County stronghold increasingly significant from a conservation history perspective.
The 'Splendor of Pennsylvania' series launched with this very card represented an early effort to celebrate and document the state's diverse wildlife resources at a time when environmental awareness was growing but before many species faced the habitat pressures of later decades. This card #001 was deliberately chosen to lead the series reflecting the pheasant's iconic status in Pennsylvania's outdoor culture.
CONDITION
This 50-year-old postcard shows the honest wear of a treasured collectible that has survived five decades. The front retains its vibrant colors despite some edge wear and corner damage that speaks to the card's authenticity and genuine vintage status.
The pheasant itself remains clearly visible with all its distinctive markings and colorful plumage intact in the image. Some scratches and minor scuffs across the surface are present with more noticeable wear along the right edge but these imperfections don't detract from the overall impact of this striking wildlife image.
The reverse side exhibits the kind of age-related yellowing around the perimeter that collectors expect from genuine vintage items of this era. The central portion where one would write a message remains relatively clean though there is some water staining along the left edge – minor issues that are common in ephemera of this age.
Despite these condition issues all text remains completely legible including the 'LANCASTER COUNTY Chinese Ringneck Pheasant' title the 'SPLENDOR OF PENNSYLVANIA Color Print Edition' header and the complete publisher information. The handwritten collector's inventory number '680' in pencil suggests this card was once part of a carefully maintained collection.
AGE/ERA
This postcard dates precisely to 1973 as indicated by the copyright information printed on the reverse. This places it squarely in an interesting transitional period for both postcards and wildlife conservation in America.
The early 1970s marked a time when environmental consciousness was growing nationwide following the first Earth Day in 1970 yet before many of the habitat losses that would later impact species like the Chinese Ringneck Pheasant. The chrome printing technology used represents the standard commercial postcard production method of this era.
The 1970s represent a fascinating moment in Pennsylvania's wildlife management history as traditional game species like the pheasant were still abundant while new conservation approaches were beginning to take shape. This card captures that specific moment when Pennsylvania's hunting traditions remained strong while environmental awareness was simultaneously growing.
The MCG code (330114) and production details confirm this as an authentic period piece produced by Rooster Publishing Company based in Delaware but focused on Pennsylvania wildlife. The printing style color saturation and photographic techniques are all consistent with high-quality nature photography from this specific period.
RARITY
While not exceedingly rare finding card #001 from this series in any condition has become increasingly difficult as collectors seek to complete their 'Splendor of Pennsylvania' sets. As the lead card in the series this pheasant postcard often suffered the most handling damage making examples that retain their visual impact increasingly challenging to locate.
Wildlife postcards from specific regional series like this one are steadily disappearing from circulation as they enter permanent collections or deteriorate beyond collectible condition. Each passing year sees fewer well-preserved examples available to collectors interested in Pennsylvania's natural heritage.
The fact that this is card #001 in the numbered series gives it particular significance for collectors working to assemble the complete set. The photographer Jerry Irwin has developed a following among wildlife photography collectors adding another dimension of collectibility to this specific card.
The Chinese Ringneck Pheasant's significance in hunting culture also makes this card appealing beyond traditional postcard collectors to those interested in sporting and hunting memorabilia creating cross-category demand that has reduced available inventory over the decades.
COLLECTOR'S NOTE
Holding this postcard connects you to Pennsylvania's rich outdoor heritage and the golden era of upland game bird hunting in Lancaster County. Feel the excitement of a crisp autumn morning in the 1970s as hunters and their dogs pursued these magnificent birds through the rolling farmlands of southeastern Pennsylvania.
The joy of collecting wildlife postcards comes from these tangible connections to our changing natural world. This isn't just an image - it's a time capsule of Pennsylvania's wildlife at a specific moment before changing agricultural practices and development would dramatically reduce wild pheasant populations in the decades that followed.
This card would enhance collections focused on game birds Pennsylvania wildlife hunting heritage or 1970s nature photography. It represents the perfect beginning piece for anyone seeking to assemble the complete 'Splendor of Pennsylvania' series that celebrated the state's diverse natural resources across multiple cards.
Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost! Browse our other listings to build your collection of wildlife postcards Pennsylvania memorabilia or hunting-related ephemera while saving on combined shipping.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY
Authentic vintage wildlife postcards from specific regional series are becoming increasingly difficult to find as they disappear into permanent collections or deteriorate beyond saving. Each represents a unique window into our changing relationship with the natural world and the sporting traditions that defined rural America.
As the #001 card in this nostalgic series celebrating Pennsylvania's wildlife heritage this pheasant postcard holds special significance for collectors seeking to assemble the complete set. Once sold finding another example of this specific card - particularly one that retains its visual impact despite some honest wear - may prove increasingly challenging.
Secure this piece of Pennsylvania's wildlife heritage today before it joins countless others that have disappeared from circulation forever. Tomorrow may be too late to own this authentic connection to Lancaster County's storied hunting tradition - when the magnificent Chinese Ringneck Pheasant symbolized the bounty of Penn's Woods and the thrill of the autumn upland game season.
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_gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))
Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.
Gosla Antiques & Collectibles