US Postage Stamps of Interest

[Jim Bertges]

Well, it's not actually the stamps that are interesting, but the envelopes to which they are affixed. In 1977 the Post Office issued stamps commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Talking Movies. On the first day of issue they provided sets of envelopes reflecting various genres of movies in sets of four. I have the Science Fiction set and the Fantasy set and thought they'd be of interest here. Have a look--

First, since it's Star Wars Day, here's the Science Fiction Set




Then the Fantasy set (I think this one is more in line with the UMA)




Each set was accompanied by a small booklet explaining the films chosen to be represented by the images on the envelopes. The Science Fiction booklet has an intro by George Pal and the Fantasy Booklet was introduced by Ray Harryhausen. Here are the front and back covers in one image.



Finally, here are two images form the back pages of the booklets showing the long since gone Hollywood Collector's Bookstore. This was when the store was housed in an old bank building on Hollywood Bl. In later years they moved to a more modest locale on Vine St. This store along with the Cherokee Book Shop and Larry Edmunds shop are legendary among film and comic book collectors because of their extensive selection of new and old items for sale.

[Anton Phibes]

Groovy!!!!

[Mike Scott]

Cool! Never saw those, before.

[Sir Masksalot]

Those are fun to see. Post more if you can.

[aura of foreboding]

Wonderful find!  Thanks for sharing! 

Funny...  Now Fantasy is all LOTR and Harry Potter.  Horror is all Saw.  Our monsters don't really have a place anymore.   

[Jim Bertges]

If any one is interested in these, please check Monsters For Sale under Sci Fi & Fantasy Postage Stamps.

[Sir Masksalot]

It's great to see Jim's pictures intact after eight years.
'Thought I'd add a few from my own modest stamp collection.



The oldest one I could find is not horror-related but what a
fun ceremony it was when first revealed at the Academy theatre.
Several performers who'd costarred with W.C.Fields were there
with live commentary after some movie scenes were shown. We all
remember Ed McMahon sitting in the audience, laughing lustily.



The cost of first class postage had doubled+ by the time
Universal Monsters stamps were issued >



I can't recall why USPS rejected Basil Gogos' artwork in favor of
someone else's. The Gogos Phantom was particularly striking >



The stamp art was also offered as framed lithographs. I only ever
knew one fellow who had a complete set. They were expensive >



One can track the increase in postage rates with the next issue
of interest. I only have one sheet of these from 2008 >



Every October, I inquire about Autumn/Halloween themed stamps at
my local USPS but they rarely have any. Some years ago, they printed
a series featuring various Jack-o-lanterns. I wish they'd reissue
them because my supply is running critically low!