'Cowboys of the Silver Screen' Ride Again

'Cowboys of the Silver Screen' Ride Again

Stamps Immortalize Gene Autry, William S. Hart, Tom Mix and Roy Rogers

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four legends of the silver screen get their first-class stamps of approval tomorrow when the Postal Service issues the Cowboys of the Silver Screen stamps and stamped postal cards. The stamps honor four extraordinary performers who helped make American Westerns a popular form of entertainment -- Gene Autry, William S. Hart, Tom Mix and Roy Rogers.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100416/DC87201)

The 10 a.m. dedication ceremony takes place at the National Cowboy & Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK, when the 44-cent first-class stamps and 28-cent stamped postal cards go on sale nationwide April 17. The ceremony coincides with the museum's 2010 Western Heritage Awards Weekend, honoring the legacy of those whose works in literature, music, television and film reflect the significant stories of the American West.

"The Postal Service has a long-standing tradition of honoring men and women who have helped define our great nation," said James C. Miller III, of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. "Today, we continue that tradition by celebrating the 'Cowboys of the Silver Screen' -- William S. Hart, Tom Mix, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers -- four extraordinary performers who helped make the American Western a popular form of entertainment. They rode the silver screen nearly a century ago, and decades from now, our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will talk about them when discussing the history of film, radio and television."

Stamp artist Robert Rodriguez of Los Angeles, CA, created the artwork under the direction of art director Carl Herrman of North Las Vegas, NV.

Scheduled to join Miller in dedicating the stamps will be National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum President Charles Schroeder; National Recording Artist and Balladeer Don Edwards; Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee Chairman Jean Picker Firstenberg and Postal Service Oklahoma District Manager Julie Gosdin. Also scheduled to attend will be relatives of Tom Mix and Roy Rogers.

"We are delighted that the Postal Service selected these popular stars for the 'Silver Screen Cowboys' series," said National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum President Charles Schroeder. "Each of these fine actors took seriously the values they would model in their film careers. Collectively, they used their considerable talents to make the American Western movie a popular and inspirational form of entertainment. We at the National Cowboy Museum believe they did something of lasting importance, and we hope these beautiful stamps remind folks everywhere to revisit their message. It surely remains relevant to our culture today."

Gene Autry

A successful radio performer prior to becoming the silver screen's first singing cowboy star, Gene Autry (1907-1998) is known for his distinctive singing style and easygoing personality. Autry entertained countless fans in nearly 100 films and recorded more than 600 songs, including the popular hits, "Back in the Saddle Again," and "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." He is a 1969 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.

William S. Hart

Before making his first appearance on the silver screen in 1914, William S. Hart (1864-1946) starred on Broadway and in theatrical productions nationwide. During his cinematic career, the acclaimed actor insisted on authentic depictions of the Old West and its people. He frequently played a stalwart, tough-as-nails cowboy.

Tom Mix

As one of the most popular stars of silent Westerns, Tom Mix (1880-1940) made his movie debut in 1909. In his action-packed movies, he displayed athleticism, fearlessness and expert riding and roping abilities. In 1922's Sky High, for example, he climbed the steep walls of the Grand Canyon, leaped deep chasms, dropped from a plane into the Colorado River, lassoed villains and rescued a damsel in distress.

Roy Rogers

Often remembered for his signature hit song, "Happy Trails," Roy Rogers (1911-1998) sang his way to silver screen stardom in the late 1930s, and by 1943 Republic Pictures was calling him "King of the Cowboys." For millions of fans, Rogers was the essence of the Western hero -- the good guy with the white hat, warm smile -- and exemplary character. Rogers is an 1980 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Have stamp idea? Visit this link to learn the criteria for submitting your ideas in writing.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

An audio news release on this topic is available at this link.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Cowboys of the Silver Screen Stamp
c/o Postmaster
4025 West Reno Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 17, 2010.

Ordering First-Day Covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products
There are six philatelic products available with this stamp issue:

-- 465363, First-Day Cover Set of 4, $3.28.
-- 465366, Postal Card Books, $14.95.
-- 465368, Digital Color Postmark Set of 4, $6.00.
-- 465384, Uncut Press Sheet, $79.20.
-- 465391, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
-- 465399, Cancellation Keepsake (4 Digital Color Postmarks w/Pane),
$14.95.

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.

A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100416/DC87201
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Postal Service

CONTACT: Mark Saunders of the U.S. Postal Service, (O) +1-202-268-6524,
(C) +1-202-320-0782, markr.r.saunders@usps.gov

Web Site: http://www.usps.com/
http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/

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