1937 10c Society of Philatelic Americans Convention, Souvenir Sheet

U.S. #797
1937 10¢ Society of Philatelic Americans Convention
S.P.A. Convention Souvenir Sheet

Issue Date: August 26, 1937
First City: Asheville, NC
Quantity Issued: 5,277,445

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This souvenir sheet – which features the first U.S. stamp designed by a woman – has several ties to North Carolina. It was issued to honor a convention of the Society of Philatelic Americans, held in Asheville, North Carolina. The convention was held from August 26-28, 1937. Founded as the Southern Philatelic Association in February 1894, the society was originally formed to provide young collectors in the South an alternative to membership in the American Philatelic Association, which was said to be dominated by “Yankee old fogies.” For a time, membership was restricted to citizens of former Confederate states. However, over time, the society’s scope grew, and the name was changed to reflect its national membership.

The Great Smoky Mountains, a range of the Blue Ridge Mountains, were named for the smoke-like mist or haze that often covers them. These mountains are among the most rugged, and have some of the highest peaks, in the Appalachian system. Some of the oldest mountains on Earth, they are estimated to be more than 500 million years old.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which lies in both North Carolina and Tennessee, includes 800 square miles of land; 95 percent of this land is forested. In fact, the park contains the most extensive virgin hardwood and red spruce forests found in the United States. The stamp features a scene of Mount Le Conte, one of the park’s main attractions.