U.S. Postal Service: The Stamp Character America Picked, the Power and Wisdom of the Mail Reflects

U.S. Postal Service: The Stamp Character America Picked, the Power and Wisdom of the Mail Reflects

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America voted, and the U.S. Postal Service will deliver the intergalactic results tomorrow, when an image of 900-year-old Jedi Master, Yoda is dedicated as a sheet of 20 stamps in New York City at Madison Square Garden. Since this 10 a.m. event is just six days before Halloween, stamp enthusiasts Star Wars fans alike are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from the Star Wars Saga.

The Yoda stamp dedication also marks the kick-off of the Fall Postage Stamp Mega-Event. This year's event will feature digital and traditional stamp exhibits. The U.S. Postal Service and the United Nations Postal Administration will each be holding various stamp ceremonies during the three-day Stamp Mega-Event. For more information on the stamp show visit www.asdaonline.com.

Since March, 400 mail collection boxes across the country have been dressed as the beloved R2-D2. But now it's time for Artoo to get back to his droid duties. Tomorrow also marks Artoo's last appearance on street corners. In the weeks following, these temporarily decorated collection boxes will be moved from the busy streets of America to military bases overseas.

"Last spring, we asked America to choose their favorite Star Warssubject from a sheet of Star Wars stamps that were dedicated inMay. When the smoke cleared, more than half a million votes werecast. So today, we're fulfilling your wishes by honoringYoda --America's favorite Star Wars character on his own stampsheet, " said Anita Bizzotto, chief marketing officer of the PostalService who dedicated the stamps. Joining Bizzotto was TerrenceMcCaffrey, Manager, Stamp Development of the Postal Service; DarthVader, Dark Lord of the Sith and Stormtroopers.

The combined Force of Star Wars and the U.S. Postal Service is onlyjust beginning. The full Star Wars stamp collection, which depicts15 images from the movie, will remain on sale until May 25, 2008,while the single Yoda stamp that goes on sale Oct. 25 will remainavailable through Oct. 25, 2008, continuing one of the mostnotable collaborations in Postal Service history.

The Yoda stamp sheet is available for purchase in Post Offices, onusps.com, and by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 starting tomorrow.

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stillsand other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom athttp://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the onlydelivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, sixdays a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the saleof postage, products, and services to cover its operatingexpenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail.

STAR WARS, Yoda, R2-D2 and related names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & (c) Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

   Philatelic Products    There are seven philatelic products available for this stamp issue:   -- 461584 -- Uncut Press Sheet Left, $24.60.   -- 461586 -- Uncut Press Sheet Right, $24.60.   -- 461561 -- First-Day Cover, $0.79.   -- 461565 -- Digital Color Postmark, $1.50.   -- 461591 -- Ceremony Program, $6.95.   -- 461593 -- First-Day Cover Keepsake, $8.99.   -- 461599 -- Digital Color Postmark Cancellation Keepsake, $9.70.     How to Order First-Day Covers   

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service 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 calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

   Information Fulfillment   Dept. 6270   U.S. Postal Service   P.O. Box 219014   Kansas City, MO  64121-9014    How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark   

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by calling 800-STAMP-24, or at the Postal Store website at usps.com/shop. 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:

   Yoda Stamp   Postmaster   421 Eighth Ave Rm. 2029B   New York, NY 10199-9998   

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail.

To obtain 300 dpi images of the stamp visit http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007stamps/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: U.S. Postal Service

CONTACT: Melissa Dodge of the U.S. Postal Service, +1-202-268-5188,
+1-202-360-1552, melissa.l.dodge@usps.gov or John Singh of Lucasfilm Ltd.,
+1-415-623-1962 or James Roselle of the American Stamp Dealers Association,
+1-516-759-7000

Web Site: http://www.usps.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment