Post by Ragingblues on Mar 28, 2007 21:51:23 GMT -5
USPS Unveils 15 'Star Wars' Stamps
Fans Can Vote On Individual Stamp Release
WASHINGTON -- Postage stamps celebrating the film classic "Star Wars" are no longer "in a galaxy far, far away." The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a set of 15 commemorative 41-cent stamps Wednesday at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, where the first "Star Wars" film opened nearly 30 years ago. One of the stamps, determined by a fan vote, will be issued as an individual stamp later this year.
"Star Wars fans everywhere will delight in the issuance of these exciting new postage stamps," said David Failor, executive director of Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service, who hosted the stamp preview. “Because of the movies’ popularity, we believe these stamps have the potential of reaching the blockbuster status of the Elvis stamp, a milestone only the Force could attempt to surpass."
According to the USPS, the commemorative stamps feature images from all six movies in the "Star Wars" saga: Luke Skywalker; Han Solo and Chewbacca; Princess Leia Organa with R2-D2; C-3PO; Yoda; Queen Padmé Amidala; Jedi Master Kenobi Kenobi as seen in Episodes IV through VI; Anakin Skywalker battling Jedi Master Kenobi Kenobi; Darth Vader; Emperor Palpatine; Darth Maul; Imperial Stormtroopers and Boba Fett. In addition, stamps of two "Star Wars" space ships -- the Millennium Falcon and an X-wing fighter -- will be released.
Fans will be able to vote March 28 through May 23 for an individual stamp that will be released in the late summer or fall. The winning stamp will be announced at the first-day-of-issue ceremony on May 25 at "Star Wars" Celebration IV-- the biggest Star Wars event in the galaxy, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The post office has already wrapped about 400 mail collection boxes across the country in a special covering to look like one of the film saga's famous droids, R2-D2. The stamp and R2-D2 mailboxes commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first "Star Wars" movie. The film, later re-titled "Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope," was released May 25, 1977. Filmmaker George Lucas' blockbuster went on to spawn two more sequels in 1980 and 1983, and three prequel films in 1999, 2002 and 2005.
Ken
Fans Can Vote On Individual Stamp Release
WASHINGTON -- Postage stamps celebrating the film classic "Star Wars" are no longer "in a galaxy far, far away." The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a set of 15 commemorative 41-cent stamps Wednesday at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, where the first "Star Wars" film opened nearly 30 years ago. One of the stamps, determined by a fan vote, will be issued as an individual stamp later this year.
"Star Wars fans everywhere will delight in the issuance of these exciting new postage stamps," said David Failor, executive director of Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service, who hosted the stamp preview. “Because of the movies’ popularity, we believe these stamps have the potential of reaching the blockbuster status of the Elvis stamp, a milestone only the Force could attempt to surpass."
According to the USPS, the commemorative stamps feature images from all six movies in the "Star Wars" saga: Luke Skywalker; Han Solo and Chewbacca; Princess Leia Organa with R2-D2; C-3PO; Yoda; Queen Padmé Amidala; Jedi Master Kenobi Kenobi as seen in Episodes IV through VI; Anakin Skywalker battling Jedi Master Kenobi Kenobi; Darth Vader; Emperor Palpatine; Darth Maul; Imperial Stormtroopers and Boba Fett. In addition, stamps of two "Star Wars" space ships -- the Millennium Falcon and an X-wing fighter -- will be released.
Fans will be able to vote March 28 through May 23 for an individual stamp that will be released in the late summer or fall. The winning stamp will be announced at the first-day-of-issue ceremony on May 25 at "Star Wars" Celebration IV-- the biggest Star Wars event in the galaxy, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The post office has already wrapped about 400 mail collection boxes across the country in a special covering to look like one of the film saga's famous droids, R2-D2. The stamp and R2-D2 mailboxes commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first "Star Wars" movie. The film, later re-titled "Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope," was released May 25, 1977. Filmmaker George Lucas' blockbuster went on to spawn two more sequels in 1980 and 1983, and three prequel films in 1999, 2002 and 2005.
Ken
