Ol' Blue Eyes Goes Postal

The U.S. Postal Service has increased first class stamp rates one penny to 42 cents and printed over one million extra one-cent stamps for people who didn't buy the Forever stamps. For those of you thinking, "Another stamp increase? Again?" the last increase was in May of last year.

To ease the pain of a more expensive stamp, the USPS is also rolling out the Frank Sinatra stamp tomorrow. USPS Board of Governors Chairman Alan Kessler said, “Frank Sinatra was our nation’s first modern entertainment superstar. He was, as they say, ‘the complete package.’ He had looks and charm, talent and skill, creativity, tenacity and style."

And the Chairman of the Board stamp, which features a 1950s-era image of Sinatra and his autograph, will be welcomed in three events in New York City, Hoboken, NJ, and Las Vegas tommorow:

* Beginning at 10 a.m. ET, Nancy Sinatra, her daughter A.J. Lambert and Frank Sinatra, Jr., will join Kessler and Rep. José E. Serrano (D-NY) in a first-day-of-issue ceremony at Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway in New York City. Serrano has a close connection to “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” as he learned to speak English from listening to his father’s Sinatra records.
* At 3 p.m. ET (noon PT), Tina Sinatra will join Postal Service Governor James Bilbray in dedicating the stamp in Las Vegas at the Bellagio fountains main alcove on Las Vegas Boulevard. Frank Sinatra stamp artist Kazuhiko Sano will also participate in this first-day-of-issue ceremony.
* At 3 p.m. ET, Frank Sinatra, Jr., will join Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) and USPS Northern New Jersey District Manager Maria Morse in a first-day-of-sale ceremony in Hoboken, NJ, Sinatra’s hometown. The event takes place at Pier A Park at 1st Street and Frank Sinatra Drive. The park is located near the Hoboken Post Office, which was renamed the Frank Sinatra Post Office in 2002. They will unveil a 10-ft. image of the stamp with the New York City skyline in the background.