On December 7, 1963, the USA issued a stamp dedicated to the ornithologist John James Audubon (1785-1851), who became famous for the rich detail of his bird drawings and the discovery of 25 new bird species in North America. The stamp shows two birds of the species black-throated magpie jay (Calocitta colliei) drawn by Audubon. The initial issue date in Henderson, Kentucky, was scheduled for November 30, 1963. However, this was postponed allegedly as a result of the assassination of the American President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

The first issue then took place on December 7, 1963 in Henderson, the rest of the USA followed on December 9, 1963. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, however, the stamp was accidentally sold at the counter for a few hours on November 30, 1963.