Stamps are cool

Yes, they are. Even though we still don’t understand why the release of a stamp from the U.S. Postal Service is still considered an “event” when stamps seem so passe. Canada has a program to make stamps cool again – they let people turn their own photographs into stamps. But one guy got stamped “return to sender” when he tried to have a topless photo of his wife made into a sticker. He said he didn’t get it – he’s been tonguing her down for years without complaint. Here’s the link.

Anyway, here’s a look at this year’s commemorative stamps from the Postal Service. We like the children’s book stamps (Wild Things rock!), the DC comics stamps (you can’t go wrong with a Batman stamp), the Sugar Ray stamp (just plain cool) and a few others. But why the hell do Great American Diplomats. And those Love stamps are so cheesy they make us want to puke. And an Amber Alert stamp? WTF?

Love: True Blue

Favorite Children’s Book Animals
Also in January, children and adults alike in the U.S. and U.K. will delight when eight cherished characters from children’s literature are featured with the “Favorite Children’s Book Animals” stamp pane, issued in Findlay, OH at the Children’s Storybook Museum. Two of the stamps — The Very Hungry Caterpillar (“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, 1969 and 1987) and Maisy (“Maisy’s ABC” by Lucy Cousins, 1994 in the U.K. and 1995 in the U.S.) — will be jointly issued with the United Kingdom’s Royal Mail, Jan. 10. The sheet of 16 stamps also depict Wild Thing (“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak,1963); Curious George (“Curious George Flies A Kite” by Margret and H.A. Rey, 1958); Wilbur (“Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, 1952); Frederick (“Frederick” by Leo Lionni, 1967); Olivia (“Olivia” by Ian Falconer, 2000), and Fox in Socks (“Fox in Socks” by Dr. Seuss, 1965).

2006 Olympic Winter Games

Hattie McDaniel

Benjamin Franklin

Art of Disney: Romance
Characters depicted on the stamps include: Mickey and Minnie, Lady and the Tramp, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Beauty and the Beast. Be sure to bring your camera to take pictures of the family standing in front of specially designed topiaries that portray the Disney characters featured on the new stamps.

Sugar Ray Robinson

Also in April, the Postal Service pays tribute to six-time world-champion Boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson on a stamp. Resembling a vintage fight poster from the 1940s and ’50s, the “Sugar Ray Robinson” stamp design features block lettering and a halftone image of Robinson created from a photographic portrait made during his peak fighting years. He reigned as the undefeated world welterweight five times.

AMBER Alert

Katherine Anne Porter

Wonders of America: Land of Superlatives
Four stamp dedication ceremonies take place starting May 27 with the dedication of the “Wonders of America: Land of Superlatives” stamps. Forty of the most remarkable places, structures, plants, and animals in America appear on this stamp pane.

The 1606 Voyage of Samuel de Champlain

Distinguished American Diplomats

Judy Garland

DC Comics Super Heroes

Baseball Sluggers
Baseball Hall of Famers Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg, Mickey Mantle and Mel Ott are on deck to be immortalized on the “Sluggers” stamps next summer.

American Motorcycles

Gee’s Bend Quilts

Nature of America: Southern Florida Wetland

Holiday Snowflakes

Christmas: Chacón Madonna and Child with Bird

Thanks for the heads up, Flyin’ J