The first U.S. postage stamps were issued on July 1, 1847. There were only two to choose from at the time: Benjamin Franklin set at five cents and George Washington at 12 cents.
The first Forever stamps were issued on April 12, 2007. They featured the Liberty Bell.
On July 22, 2024, Alex Trebek will get his own stamp. The former host of the TV game show Jeopardy!, will be honored at Sony Pictures Studios with the unveiling of his own Forever U.S. postage stamp. Alex’s wife, Jean Trebek and current Jeopardy! host, Ken Jennings are expected to be in attendance for the ceremony.
Although his likeness won’t be featured on the stamp, it will resemble one of the blue boxes shown on the show with the clue: “This naturalized U.S. citizen hosted the quiz show ‘Jeopardy!’ for 37 seasons.” When you turn the stamp over you’ll find the correct response (in the form of a question naturally) “Who is Alex Trebek?”
Trebek is the first TV game show host to receive this honor and is just the latest of a long string of famous individuals to get their own stamps. Here are a bunch of other “firsts” and the dates that they were printed.
(Wikimedia)
The First American Men, 1847
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were not only given the honor of being the first men featured on a stamp, but they were also the first people portrayed on a stamp period.
The First American Woman, 1902
Since George Washington was one of the first men to appear on a stamp, it only fitting that his wife, Martha would be the first woman. However, that didn’t happen until 55 years later.
The First African American, 1940
Born into slavery, Booker T. Washington was an author, teacher and a founder of the National Negro Business League. Harriet Tubman, known for helping others escape slavery, got her stamp in 1978.
The First Native American, 1907
Pocahontas played a large role in bringing peace between English colonists and Native Americans. The second Native American to get their own stamp was Chief Standing Bear in 2015.
The First Hispanic American, 1903
David Farragut was a naval officer who served during the American Civil War. Artist Frida Kahlo was the first Hispanic woman to be featured on a stamp in 2001.
The First Novelist, 1940
Louisa May Alcott is known for such works at Little Women, Little Men and Jo’s Boys, her last book.
The First Conservationist, 1966
Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman can be thanked for introducing apple trees to those living in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ontario and even West Virginia.
The First Musician, 1969
W.C. Handy is known as “the father of blues”. Elvis Presley got a stamp in 1993, but he was a controversial choice since he was known to have abused drugs and some people were convinced that he was still alive. American got a chance to vote on an image of a “young” Elvis or an “old” Elvis. The younger version won, and the stamp became the best-selling stamp in history.
(Wikimedia)
The First Astronaut, 1961
Alan Shepard was the fifth man to walk on the moon, but the first to hit golf ball off it.
The First Athlete, 1982
Jackie Robinson was an African American baseball player who “broke the color barrier” in Major League Baseball. A year later, Babe Ruth was celebrated for a tribute of 50th anniversary of the first All-Star Game.
The First American Actor, 1991
James Cagney known for playing a tough guy in movies such as The Public Enemy and Angels with Dirty Faces but also showed a soft side playing George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy. It also won him an Oscar.
The First American Actress, 1993
Grace Kelly was also the first movie star to be featured on a U.S. stamp solo.
The First American Dog of TV, 2009
Lassie was bestowed the honor representing the golden age of television
The First Comic Strip Characters, 1993
Bill Mauldin’s iconic American soldiers fighting during World War II, Willie and Joe, were the first comic strip characters to get a stamp. Mauldin got his own stamp in 2010. For the record, Snoopy got his own stamp featuring the pooch flying his World War I Flying Ace in 2001.
The First Animated Cartoon Character, 1997
It was quite the upset in 1997 when it was announced that Bugs Bunny had received a stamp before Mickey Mouse. Fortunately, Mr. Mouse didn’t have to wait long. He got a stamp in 2004, but he had to share the space with Donald and Goofy.
The First Superhero, 1998
The man who was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound (Superman) got a tribute to “Celebrate the Century: 1930s”. He also got a stamp in 2006 celebrating DC Comics characters.
The Most Controversial Stamp, 1995
Keeping in tradition, all U.S. presidents have been honored with a stamp after their death. However, Richard Nixon’s stamp was not very welcomed.
Main Image: Wikipedia / USPS
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