WASHINGTON — Legends from entertainment and the arts, heroes of the battlefield, explorers who traveled the uncharted West and an author who delighted generations of children will have the honor of appearing on postage stamps next year.
The U.S. Postal Service also is coming out with two new stamps with a wedding theme as part of its 2004 commemorative stamp series to be made public today.
Stamps being issued in the first few months of the year include a special tribute to Pulitzer Prize-winning children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel. The stamp, with a portrait of Dr. Seuss surrounded by the Cat in the Hat and other characters from his classic tales, will mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The arts emerged as one of the themes for next year, said David Failor, executive director of Stamp Services for the Postal Service, with stamps honoring four great choreographers — Alvin Ailey, George Balanchine, Martha Graham and Agnes de Mille. There also will be a stamp paying tribute to Henry Mancini, composer of "Moon River," music for the "Pink Panther" movies and many more movie hit songs.
Another favorite in the series, said Failor, is a stamp to commemorate the bicentennial of the official launch of the Lewis and Clark expedition in May 1804.
"When you look at the stamp program, it’s really a reflection of America, who we are, the people that made us great, the events that made us great, the things that reflect our culture and diversity," Failor said.
Over the years, the Postal Service has heard from mothers-of-the-bride and brides themselves, who have asked for a stamp for their wedding mailings. Failor said the Postal Service will deliver two such stamps next year, both depicting arrangements of garden flowers.
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