Introduction / Mission
Over 99% of all species that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct. What remains — the living 1% — is only the latest chapter in a vast, ever-changing story of life.
Through fossils, paleontologists uncover fragments of worlds long gone — oceans filled with strange creatures, forests ruled by giants, skies teeming with wings that no longer beat. Prehistoric Postcards is an artistic venture that brings those ancient ecosystems into vivid view.
At its heart, this series is both a celebration and a warning. Inspired by the accelerating effects of climate change and humanity's role in triggering a sixth mass extinction, this project uses art to bridge past and present, reminding us what has been lost and what still remains to save.
Each postcard becomes a small time capsule — capturing a moment from deep time, reflecting on fossil discoveries, and echoing our responsibility to preserve Earth's remaining biodiversity.
Collection Structure
The collection is divided into four distinct Categories, each one focusing on a different dimension of life, evolution, and extinction. Click any Category to explore its full gallery of postcards — detailed illustrations on the front, and informational text on the back.
Aquatic
Dive into the waters of deep time.
This Category features marine and freshwater creatures — from Cambrian oddities and trilobites to giant sea predators. These postcards capture the mysteries of ancient seas and the life forms that first shaped Earth's underwater ecosystems.
Terrestrial
Step onto land through the veil of time.
Here, you'll find creatures that left the oceans behind: early amphibians, dinosaurs, mammals, and more. Each artwork reflects how life adapted, diversified, and sometimes struggled to survive on land.
Aerial
Soar above past skies.
The Aerial Category highlights prehistoric flyers — pterosaurs, early birds, and other winged creatures. These postcards embody the daring leap to the skies that revolutionized evolution.
Extinction Events
Witness the great reshuffling of life.
This Category delves into the five major mass extinctions that reshaped Earth's biosphere — carnage, recovery, and new beginnings. You'll also find reflections on the ongoing "sixth extinction" driven by humans, tying past events into our present-day reality.
A Postcard That Gives Back
Every Prehistoric Postcard is mailed using Endangered Species Forever stamps, helping to support conservation and rehabilitation efforts for species at risk.
The U.S. Postal Service launched a pane of 20 Endangered Species stamps in May 2023, featuring images of threatened animals across the country and beyond — a tribute to the Endangered Species Act's 50th anniversary.
Earlier, the Save Vanishing Species "Tiger" Stamp (also known as the "Tiger Stamp") became the first USPS semipostal stamp whose surcharge supported wildlife conservation projects globally, raising millions for endangered species programs.
Save Vanishing Species
The Save Vanishing Species initiative supports critical wildlife conservation programs through the sale of special postage stamps. Proceeds from each stamp are transferred by the U.S. Postal Service to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010. These funds help protect some of the world's most threatened animals.
Supported Conservation Efforts
The program benefits several major conservation funds dedicated to preserving endangered species and their habitats:
How You Can Help
By purchasing a Save Vanishing Species stamp, you contribute directly to global conservation efforts that give endangered species a fighting chance to recover and thrive.
By choosing these stamps, your postcard does more than reach someone's mailbox — it helps fund habitat protection, species recovery, and public awareness. Each mailed card becomes a small act of advocacy, reminding us that extinction is not just history — it's happening now.
Content adapted from the United States Postal Service © 2011 and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
How It Works
Each postcard is a high-resolution art print, double-sided with the illustration on the front and detailed species/period information on the back.
They depict real species (as best-known from fossil discoveries) or significant extinction events from Earth's history.
All Postcards are mailed with Endangered Species stamps at First-Class rate, supporting conservation efforts with every delivery.