This 3-cent stamp, designed by Bob Hines, vividly portrays the power and determination of the King Salmon as it leaps up a waterfall to reach its spawning grounds. This imagery is a powerful metaphor for the species' arduous life cycle. The King Salmon is the largest of the Pacific salmon species and has been a vital resource for the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest for millennia. The First Day of Issue in Seattle was a deliberate choice, placing the stamp's debut in a city whose identity and economy were intrinsically linked to the fishing industry and the health of the region's rivers. By 1956, the impact of hydroelectric dams on salmon migration was becoming a major environmental concern. This stamp helped to popularize the conservation issues surrounding these anadromous fish, emphasizing the need for fish ladders and other measures to mitigate the impact of human industry on natural ecosystems. It celebrated a vital species while simultaneously serving as a warning about its future.