Who would you put on a stamp? Charlie Sheen? Lady Gaga? Yourself?
Hoping to boost sagging revenue, the U.S. Postal Service on Monday abandoned its longstanding rule that stamps cannot feature people who are still alive and is asking the public for suggestions.
It’s a turnabout that means living sports stars, writers, artists and other prominent - or not-so-prominent - people could take their places in postal history along with luminaries such as George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., and Marilyn Monroe.
“This change will enable us to pay tribute to individuals for their achievements while they are still alive to enjoy the honor,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe.
Since Jan. 1, 2007, the requirement has been that a person must be dead for five years before appearing on a stamp. Before that, the rule was 10 years, although former presidents have traditionally been remembered on a stamp in the year after their deaths.
But it seems to be at least as much about money as admiration. For years, the post office has been facing severe financial problems because of the burgeoning use of email. A burst of interest in stamp design and collecting - which the Postal Service is seeking to promote partly through social media - could bring in new revenue because stamps that are collected rather than used for postage provide added income.
Poking fun at the Postal Service’s money woes, comedian Stephen Colbert has been pushing to become the first living person depicted on a government-issued stamp. His Comedy Central website proposes a “Farewell to Postage” stamp with a photo of him holding up a smartphone that shows an email telling the Postal Service “See ya!”
Judging by initial public reaction in interviews Monday, Mr. Colbert faces competition.
Cyndi Scarlett, 54, of Alexandria, who works in humanitarian development, touted her choice of Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs to be the first living person on a stamp. Walking by a post office in downtown Washington, she cited his company’s role in reshaping everyday life, from the ubiquitous Macintosh and iPod to the iPad.
“He has changed the face of technology in America,” Ms. Scarlett said.
But Justin Pierce, a 29-year-old consultant from Arlington had a TV personality in mind for the first stamp: actor Charlie Sheen, who was fired from the TV show “Two and a Half Men” last season. “He’s an American icon,” Mr. Pierce said.
Other suggestions included evangelist Billy Graham, President Obama, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, actress Tyra Banks and Paralympic athlete Bonnie St. John.
Janice Myles, a paralegal in Washington, said her pick would be someone who epitomizes the everyday American - herself. “I’m spiritual, I have no criminal record. My only downfall is that I don’t speak different languages. I don’t judge people; I look at the facts,” she said.
The post office is inviting suggestions for new stamps via Facebook, Twitter, a Postal Service website and by mail to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp Development, Room 3300, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Wash., D.C., 20260-3501.
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