1951 South Dakota Motor Decal National Souvenir Pheasant State License Art For Sale

This is a complete 1951 motor decal for the state of South Dakota, produced by the National Souvenir Mfg. Co. of Chicago, Illinois. The decal itself is a vibrant example of mid-century water-slide transfer technology, featuring a bold circular design dominated by a large, detailed illustration of a ring-necked pheasant superimposed over a red outline of the state. This central image directly promotes South Dakota’s identity as the “Pheasant State,” a moniker that highlights its reputation as a premier destination for upland game bird hunting during the post-war era. The state map serves as a canvas for additional iconography celebrating regional industry and landmarks, including a pastoral farm scene with a barn and silo, stalks of wheat, a tractor, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the rugged Badlands, and a bison. The state capital of Pierre is marked in small red lettering. The entire composition is framed by an ornate, repeating floral and leaf border in red and white, a classic decorative motif of the period. The decal remains affixed to its original square paper backing, which bears the extensive printed application instructions. These directions provide a fascinating glimpse into the practical use of this form of travel memorabilia, offering separate guidelines for applying the transfer to glass windows versus opaque surfaces like metal or wood. The backing paper exhibits significant age-related toning and staining, with faint, irregular mottling consistent with long-term storage in a wax paper bag, as noted. As a piece of printed automotive ephemera, this decal functioned as a mobile badge of honor for tourists, allowing motorists to publicly document their travels and affiliations. It encapsulates the graphic design trends, promotional vernacular, and burgeoning car culture of 1950s America, serving as a direct artifact of roadside commerce and state pride from the era of the great American road trip.