Alaska Statehood Stamp photo by Jeff Schultz

The U.S. Postal Service revealed Alaska Stock Images owner, Jeff Schultz's photo as the final selection for the new statehood stamp commemorating Alaska's 50th anniversary. Alaska became an official U.S. territory in 1912 and the 49th state on January 3, 1959. Scheduled to be issued on January 2, 2009, the new stamp features a picture from the Iditarod trail of veteran sled dog racer DeeDee Jonrowe.

This year marks Jeff's 29th year volunteering as the official Iditarod photographer and sharing images from the Last Great Race with mushers, race fans and other volunteers. He commented, "I'm honored that one of my photos was chosen to represent the State of Alaska on the U.S. postage stamp. I'm just plain ecstatic that it's this particular photo, because it's one of my all-time favorite photos from the Iditarod - DeeDee Jonrowe mushing in the Rainy Pass area at dusk with alpenglow on the Alaska Range. I couldn't be more pleased."

Recalling the many times she and Jeff Schultz have traveled the Iditarod trail together DeeDee remarked, "It is humbling to be part of the image chosen to represent Alaska as the U.S. Postage Service recognizes our beautiful state's 50th birthday. I have been blessed to live my dreams for over a quarter of a century combining my love of my dogs, my passion for this beautiful state, and to experience adventure beyond my wildest imagination. Thanks to Jeff Schultz's God-given talent for capturing that on film, I now have the honor to celebrate this through this stamp."