The Indianapolis 500's 100th anniversary is one of 25 subjects to be highlighted in the U.S. Postal Service's 2011
Commemorative Stamp Program, unveiled Tuesday.
Ray Harroun, winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911, is featured on the stamp, which says "Indianapolis 500"
and "100 Years of Racing." The stamp's image was created by illustrator John Mattos.
“It’s a great honor for the Indianapolis 500 to be featured on a U.S. Postal Service stamp,” Indianapolis
Motor Speedway Corp. President Jeff Belskus said in a prepared statement. “The stamp recognizes the 500 as a vital part
of American culture and is a wonderful addition to our celebration of the 100th anniversary of the race in 2011.”
This is the second time that the Marmon Wasp, piloted by Ray Harroun, has been featured
on a U.S. stamp.
The postal service receives thousands of suggestions annually for postage stamps. The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
recommends 20 to 25 subjects for final approval by the Postmaster General. According to the postal service, “stamp subjects
must stand the test of time, reflect the cultural diversity of the U.S. and have broad national appeal.”
This is the second time the Marmon Wasp, piloted by Harroun, has been featured on a U.S. postage stamp. The car also was
highlighted as a 17.5-cent stamp in a transportation series in 1987.
The 2011 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, at the Speedway.
The latest stamp will be a Forever Stamp, which is always equal in value to the current first-class stamp rate, regardless
of future price changes.
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Burl....well we all understand your need for attention. Tell us again about how your relative is writing a book about the demise of IMS yet no one in the press knows about it. I love that story.
At any rate, when I was in my early teens, I used to walk to the local Post Office to mail my folks bills, I would see a flip chart of official first day stamp releases. You could actually send the postal service a SASE and a check and they would mail your return envelope back to you with the stamp and a special "first day" postmark and cancellation. I did a few back then but may have to do it again for this one! Nice.
Interesting how the art work gives illusion of speed whereas the Wasp averaged under 75mph! I doubt if it was ever 'airborne' on the track at that 'high' rate!
It's a nice looking stamp and with all the other hype that will surely be around, I think the postal public will understand the stamp's commemoration.