Celebrity Stamps

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been issuing celebrity and specialty stamps for decades. From American politicians to entertainers to political activists, the list of celebrities runs the gamut of human endeavor.

Upcoming honorees for 2010 include Mother Theresa, who was made an honorary U.S. citizen the year before she died for her humanitarian work with the world's poor. Mother Theresa is only the fifth person in our nation's history to be so honored. Actress Katharine Hepburn, cartoonist Bill Mauldin, painter Homer Winslow, and singer Kate Smith are some of the other celebrities for whom celebrity stamps are being issued in 2010. African-American celebrities include Negro National League creator Andrew “Rube” Foster and film-maker Oscar Micheaux, who wrote, directed, produced and distributed more than 40 movies at a time when African-American filmmakers were rare, venues for their work were scarce, and support from the industry non-existent.

The 2010 “Cowboys of the Silver Screen” stamps honor William S. Hart, Tom Mix, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers for their contributions in making the American Western a popular form of entertainment. With the issuance of the "Distinguished Sailors" stamps, USPS honors four sailors who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th century: Commander of U.S. naval forces in European waters during World War I, William S. Sims; top destroyer squadron commander during World War II, Arleigh A. Burke; John McCloy was awarded two Medals of Honor for separate acts of heroism; and Doris Miller, who was the first African-American hero of World War II for his actions at Pearl Harbor, and provided the inspiration to a campaign for equal recognition and opportunity for African Americans in the military.