Stamps -> Topical-and-Specialty -> Famous People
The Marilyn Monroe stamp was released on June 1, 1995, on what would have been Marilyn’s 69th birthday. It joined the ranks of what the United States Postal Service calls “blockbuster” stamps, like the Elvis stamp, and some commemorative stamps like those honoring Civil War veterans. 400 million stamps were printed (almost as many as Elvis’ 500 million stamp print run), and while they’re popular with collectors, the value is generally no more than the face value of the stamp.
A stamp collector might enjoy owning a sheet of these stamps, or a single Monroe stamp, because they’re boldly colored, with Marilyn’s platinum hair, bright red lipstick and glitzy dress. And because they represent one of the most famous pin-up and movie stars of all time. But a Marilyn Monroe buff and collector will surely want these stamps in their collection because they’re just one more way to show that America never could get enough of Marilyn, and even over 30 years after her death they still feel the need to immortalize her beauty.
While Marilyn was a bonafide bombshell and movie star, maybe her humble beginnings and her struggle once she became popular help keep her an object of obsession and interest, one worthy of being honored with a Monroe stamp, after all these years. Born Norma Jean Baker, she started out in a way that few would associate with later fame. Childhood sexual abuse and poverty were just some of the tragedies of her early life. She lived in a series of foster homes and orphanages because her mother suffered from breakdowns that left her institutionalized.
She married at 16 to escape such a life, and soon began posing for pin-ups after her picture was taking while working in a factory. She didn’t get the name Marilyn Monroe until she was signed with RKO pictures, dyed her hair blonde and began appearing in small parts in films. Nude calendar photos in Playboy and a few starring roles shot her to fame in the early 1950s, and less than 10 years later she was dead of a sleeping pill overdose. Few stars are with us so short a time and then memorialized in ways like the Monroe stamp, but Marilyn captured the national consciousness and made people take notice.
A Marilyn fan and collector can find the Marilyn Monroe stamp on eBay or almost anywhere Marilyn memorabilia is sold. Chances are that a person wanting the stamp because it features Marilyn Monroe will care less about the stamp quality than the picture. So cancelled stamps, degummed stamps and other things that make it less desirable for a stamp collector are easy to find, and are relatively cheap.
But for those who want the stamp because it’s part of US stamp history, you’ll want to find a sheet of uncut stamps in excellent condition on eBay or elsewhere. Though given the date of its release, a Monroe stamp with a first day cancellation can be a great part of your collection.
Originally posted 2008-12-24 14:00:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
India Stamps Stamps -> Stamps -> AsiaThe first India stamps were called Scinde District Dawk, getting their name from the place of their first use in the Sindh district of India. Typically the paper stamps were on some shade of white paper with the design stamped in blue ink, and the...... -
Stamp Collector Stamps -> Worldwide -> Collections, Lots Few types of collectors get more excited and enthusiastic about a new acquisition than a stamp collector. Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, enjoyed by young children, the elderly, and every age in between. Over 20 million people...... - Post Office Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Collections Post office stamps are a great collectible for kids to enjoy, and luckily, it isn’t all that hard to start a collection. Before you start building your collection, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have all the supplies you’ll need. This......
-
Collecting Commemorative Stamps A commemorative stamp is essentially a stamp that was created in order to honor something, such as for example a special occasion, a special person or a special place. Most commemorative stamp varieties are printed in very small batches, and sometimes they are only printed one time and then never...... -
US Stamps Stamps -> US Stamps : 19th Century Unused, 19th Century Used Collecting stamps from around the world is a popular hobby for many, but there are also many valuable stamps that are hard to find. US Stamps in particular can be very rare, and there are quite a few that......
Related Websites -
poor kid blues I was rich as a child. Just kidding. I wasn't. I lived in humble conditions in subsidized housing. My family was so poor we used the residual heat from cooking to heat our home. I had to share a room with my brother. I didn't get a puppy. We...... - Nascar Collectibles Sports Memorabilia -> Autographs - Original -> Racing - NASCAR One of the nation’s favorite sports is racing, and Nascar is bigger than ever. If you’re a fan of Nascar, or you are just looking for a fun collectible, there are numerous different options available. Many of these are very......
- Casino Chips Collectables -> Casino -> Chips Casino chips, also known as casino tokens or checks, are the small round pieces that are similar to coins but only used as money inside casinos. They're usually made from molded plastic, clay or metal are are used at the table games inside a casino,......
- Russian Coins Coins & Paper Money -> Coins: World -> Russia Russian coins have recently become a popular investment, with many of the popular dealers selling out of supplies, and some older and more rare coins earning over $45,000 at auction. Many people gave up on Russian coin collecting in 2007 because......
- Plan Ahead and Make Your Holiday Budget Now Have you ever noticed how short the fall season is? Really, I feel like the days between Labor Day and Thanksgiving just fly by. One minute, I’m getting the kids ready for a new school year; the next minute, however, has me thinking about Christmas and the holidays. Wow! Being......
