Post Office Seeking Stamps of Approval

Ever wanted to put your stamp on a stamp? The U.S. Postal Service is once again asking for your vote.

In 1993, the public was invited to choose between a young Elvis and an older Elvis for a stamp, and several million voted (with older Elvis winning). “We found it was very important for people to have a voice,” says Valoree Vargo, manager of stamp and product marketing.

Through its “Celebrate the Century” program, the Postal Service will ask the public over the next two years to choose its favorites in five categories--people and events, arts and entertainment, sports, science and technology, and lifestyle--for the decades of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. (The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee has already made choices for 1900-1949.) Ballots have a space for write-ins, to be considered for future stamp series.

Ballots for the ‘50s are available at all post offices through Saturday, with the top three vote-getters in each category to become 32-cent gummed stamps to be issued in May 1999.

“We’ve received several million votes so far,” says Vargo. In a field that includes the Cold War, Rocky Marciano, the transistor radio, Hula-Hoops, stock-car racing and Broadway’s “West Side Story,” the top vote-getter to date is victory over polio.

“I was surprised,” says Vargo, “although when you think back polio had a big impact on American life in the ‘40s, probably very much like today living with HIV.”

The other top 10 so far are, in order, drive-in movies, tail fins and chrome, rock ‘n’ roll, “I Love Lucy,” Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” World Series rivals New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers, desegregation of public schools, teen fashions (remember poodle skirts?) and launch of the Explorer I satellite.

Vargo says the Postal Service is “unbelievably excited” about response. “This series is relevant to almost every American, whether it’s something as light as rock ‘n’ roll or as compelling as the desegregation of public schools.”

It’s a boon for the country’s estimated 3 million stamp collectors. And, observes Vargo, “it makes you an excellent ‘Jeopardy’ contestant.” The ‘50s winners will be announced at post offices about six weeks after close of balloting. Voting on ‘60s stamps will begin in May.