To this day Judy Garland is still revered as THE consummate entertainer. Judy took her final journey over the rainbow 37 years ago, but her expressive brown eyes and the timbre of her voice still have the power to woo and wow generation after generation.
On June 10th, the United States Postal Service honors "Miss Showbusiness" with a first-class commerative postage stamp. The 12th issue in the Legends of Hollywood Series will be debuted at the same venue of Judy Garland's celebrated 1961 concert triumph; Carnegie Hall. Guests scheduled to appear include Judy's children Lorna Luft and Joseph Luft, Turner Classic Movies host and film historian Robert Osborne, performer Rufus Wainwright who will be re-creating the legendary Carnegie Hall concert June 14th and 15th, and MGM actress Jane Powell. Attendees of the ceremony will receive first day programs containing a list of participants, information about the stamp, and a postmarked stamp attached.
The stamp design by Ethel Kessler features art of a sophisticated Judy teeming with radiance taken from a 1954 portrait promoting A Star is Born. A illustration of Judy Garland in her endearing role of Dorothy Gale appears on the selvage (margin) of the stamp sheet.
Promotional posters that are not sold to the general public are on display at post offices, but perhaps a kindly postal clerk would be willing to set one aside when the post office has no further use for it. If asked politely. Promotional pins were also made of the stamp.
Celebrate Judy Garland's 84th birthday and honor her memory by adding these beautiful stamps to your collection.
If you're just tuning in please see my May 12th entry to see the new USPS stamp sheet. Shown below are Judy Garland stamps from around the world.
Star is Born publicity portrait courtesy Scott Brogan www.thejudyroom.com
