The History of Rome – 556- You Ain’t Nothin But a Postmark

Intro

In this episode of “The History of Rome” podcast, titled “556- You Ain’t Nothin But a Postmark,” the host explores the fascinating story behind the iconic Elvis Presley postage stamp. The episode delves into the history of postage stamps, the transformation of stamp design, and the impact of the Elvis stamp on pop culture and the postal service. It also discusses the role of politics and the rise of pop culture in stamp design.

Main Takeaways

Transformation of Stamp Design

• In the mid-19th century, postage stamps were introduced as proof of payment for mail.
• Stamp designs were traditionally institutional and patriotic, lacking representation of cultural contributions like music and Hollywood.
• Since the 1950s, stamp collectors have influenced stamp design through a committee.
• The Post Office began featuring famous musicians on stamps, challenging traditional designs.

The Elvis Stamp Phenomenon

• A group of dedicated fans campaigned for an Elvis Presley stamp in the mid-1980s.
• Mark Stutzman’s portrait of young Elvis was chosen as one of the two finalists out of 60 designs.
• The public vote for the Elvis stamp gained national attention and became a phenomenon.
• Bill Clinton, a big fan of Elvis, engaged with pop culture during his campaign.

Impact and Legacy

• The Elvis stamp marked a shift towards pop culture stamps and representation of cultural icons.
• It became the best-selling commemorative stamp, selling over half a billion copies.
• The stamp generated revenue through licensing for merchandise featuring Stutzman’s young Elvis image.
• The success of the Elvis stamp led to the launch of the Legends of American Music series featuring over 70 artists.

Summary

Transformation of Stamp Design

In the mid-19th century, postage stamps were introduced as a means to indicate that the sender had paid for the mail. However, stamp designs were predominantly traditional, institutional, and patriotic, lacking representation of cultural contributions such as music, rock and roll, and Hollywood. Since the 1950s, stamp collectors have had a say in stamp design through a committee. This marked the beginning of a transformation in stamp design, as the Post Office started featuring famous musicians on stamps, challenging the traditional designs and embracing popular culture.

The Elvis Stamp Phenomenon

A dedicated group of fans campaigned for an Elvis Presley stamp in the mid-1980s, challenging the cautiousness the post office had around stamp designs. Mark Stutzman, one of the artists commissioned to submit work for a new series of stamps, created a portrait of young Elvis that captured his sex appeal and active stage presence. Stutzman’s design was chosen as one of the two finalists out of a total of 60 Elvis portraits. The public vote for the Elvis stamp gained national attention, becoming a phenomenon that reflected the rising political power of baby boomers and their serious engagement with pop culture.

Impact and Legacy

The release of the Elvis stamp marked a significant shift towards pop culture stamps and representation of cultural icons on postage. It became the best-selling commemorative stamp, selling over half a billion copies and outselling every other commemorative stamp before and since. The stamp also generated revenue through licensing Stutzman’s young Elvis image for various merchandise. The success of the Elvis stamp paved the way for the launch of the Legends of American Music series, featuring over 70 artists and opening doors to a new wave of black musicians on US stamps. It also led to the inclusion of pop culture icons like anti-drug artists, movie stars, athletes, and cartoon characters on stamps.

Conclusion

The Elvis Presley postage stamp represents a significant turning point in stamp design and the recognition of pop culture icons on official government-issued stamps. It not only captured the attention of the public but also generated substantial revenue for the postal service through stamp sales and licensing. The Elvis stamp opened doors for the representation of diverse cultural contributions on stamps, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of American society and its impact on the postal service.