USPS News: Philatelic Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2001
Stamp Release No. 01-051
Hollywood Star Of Stage, Screen, Radio, and Television Lucille Ball Honored On U.S. Postage Stamp
Washington, DC – America's Queen of Comedy Lucille Ball, beloved for her memorable role as Lucy Ricardo in the television series I Love Lucy, will be the seventh honoree on a commemorative postage stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series.
The Lucille Ball stamp First Day of Issuance ceremony will take place at the Hollywood History Museum, in the Historic Max Factor Building, 1660 North Highland Avenue, in Hollywood, Calif. on Monday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m.
"As one of America's most admired, beloved, and talented actresses of the twentieth century, Lucille Ball's countless contributions to the entertainment industry—both as an entertainer and businesswoman endear her in the memories of millions whose lives she touched," said Citizens' stamp Advisory Committee member and Academy Award winning actor Karl Malden. "Her contributions make her perfect for the Legends of Hollywood series."
The Lucille Ball stamp joins stamps in the series honoring Marilyn Monroe (1995), James Dean (1996), Humphrey Bogart (1997), Alfred Hitchcock (1998), James Cagney (1999) and Edward G. Robinson (2000).
Lucille Desiree Ball, born August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, appeared regularly on American television for nearly three decades. She endeared herself to viewers in her role as Lucy Ricardo on I Love Lucy, which debuted in 1951 and ran until 1957. The enormously popular show, which teamed Ball with her real-life husband Desi Arnaz, chronicled the unlikely adventures of a wacky, redheaded housewife and her husband, Ricky, a Cuban bandleader. The episode that first aired on January 19, 1953, in which Lucy Ricardo gave birth to "Little Ricky," was watched by more people than any other television show of its time. I Love Lucy is still enjoyed today, and has been seen in more than 80 countries around the world.
Ball's other television series included The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957-1960), The Lucy Show (1962-1968), Here's Lucy (1968-1974), and Life with Lucy (1986), in which she played a feisty grandmother.
Lucille Ball also appeared in more than 70 movies, including Stage Door (1937) and Too Many Girls (1940). While filming Too Many Girls, Lucy met Desi Arnaz, who was also starring in the film.
They were married on November 30, 1940, and subsequently appeared together in the films The Long, Long Trailer (1954) and Forever Darling (1956). Throughout her film career, Ball's other leading men included Bob Hope and Henry Fonda.
Ball's versatility was evident in many of her other performances as well. She starred with Richard Denning in the CBS radio comedy My Favorite Husband, a forerunner to I Love Lucy, from 1948 to 1951, and she also appeared on the Broadway stage in the 1960 musical Wildcat.
She was also a businesswoman. In 1962, when Desi Arnaz retired as president of Desilu Studios, Ball purchased his entire holdings and became the first woman president of a major Hollywood production company. She later sold it and formed her own company, Lucille Ball Productions.
In addition to receiving four Emmy Awards, Ball received numerous other honors. She was one of the first inductees into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 1984, and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986. Shortly after her death on April 26, 1989, she was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Lucille Ball has previously appeared on U.S. postage. On May 26, 1999, in Springfield, Mass., an I Love Lucy stamp, featuring a black-and-white photograph of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, was issued as part of the Celebrate The Century: The 1950s stamp pane. It was among the public's 15 selections for stamps commemorating the decade.
The stamp art by Drew Struzan of Pasadena, Calif., is based on a circa 1955 black-and-white photograph. Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C., was designer and art director for the stamp.
On Aug.7, one hundred and ten million Lucille Ball self-adhesive 34-cent stamps will be available at post offices nationwide.
To see the Lucille Ball stamp, and other upcoming 2001 stamps and stationery, choose "Shop" at www.usps.com and visit the Postal Store. The Collector's Corner contains the "Stamp Release Schedule" for unreleased 2001 stamps and "Index of Stamp Issues" for previous releases.
All current stamps and philatelic products, as well as a free philatelic catalog, are available by calling toll free 1-800 STAMP-24. A selection of current stamps and gift items are also available online at the Postal Store.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Lucille Ball
Item Number: 451300
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Commemorative
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Legends of Hollywood
Issue Date & City: August 6, 2001, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Illustrator: Drew Struzan, Pasadena, CA
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
Engraver: N/A
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
Modeler: Banknote Corporation of America, Inc. (BCA)
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America, Inc. (BCA)
Printed at: BCA, Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Man Roland, 300
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 110 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type III, Block tagging
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: BCA, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.41 in./21.34 x 35.81 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.99 x 1.56 in./25.15 x 39.62 mm
Pane Size (w x h) : 8.48 x 7.17 in./215.39 x 182.12 mm
Uncut Press Sheet (w x h): 25.69 x 21.81 in./652.53 x 553.98 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "B" followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: " 2000USPS" Plate Numbers Price Plate Position Diagram Text
Catalog Item Number(s): 451320 Block of 4 — $1.36
451330 Block of 10 — $3.40
451340 Full Pane — $6.80
451361 First Day Cancellation — $0.55
451362 Full Pane Canceled — $8.80
451384 Press Sheet — $61.20
HOW TO ORDER THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARK
Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 1-800 STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Website at www.shop.usps.com. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others) and place them in a larger envelope addressed to: LUCILLE BALL – LEGENDS OF HOLLYWOOD COMMEMORATIVE STAMP, POSTMASTER, 7001 S CENTRAL AVE., LOS ANGELES, CA 90052-9998.
After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through
the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by September 5, 2001.
Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by telephoning 1 800 STAMP-24 or writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, DEPT 6270, US POSTAL SERVICE, PO BOX 219014, KANSAS CITY, MO 64121-9014. A catalog can also be obtained by sending an email request to sfs@email.usps.gov. First day covers remain on sale for at least one year after the stamp's issuance.