What:
The new “Early TV Memories” U.S. postage stamps honor 20 memorable programs from the early years of television, including “The Tonight Show” and its original host, Steve Allen.
Before he went on to be recognized as a pioneering TV host, comedian, author and prolific songwriter, Allen attended ASU in the mid-1940s and worked as an announcer for KOY-AM in Phoenix, Arizona’s first commercial radio station. Before his death in 2000, Allen donated many of his writings, awards and other memorabilia to the Special Collections at the Arizona State University Libraries.
Who:
Phoenix Postmaster Alvaro A. Alvarez
ASU University Librarian Sherrie Schmidt
ASU University Archivist Robert Spindler
Several items from the University’s Steve Allen collection, including photos, awards and autographed books, will be on display for the event.
When:
11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Where:
Luhrs Reading Room at ASU Hayden Library, Tempe Campus
Background:
Postmaster Alvarez will present a giant framed enlargement of the new Steve Allen stamp to ASU Librarian Schmidt, who met Steve Allen when he donated some of his personal collection of books, photos, recordings and awards to the university.
Other shows featured on the sheet of “Early TV Memories” stamps include “I Love Lucy,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Dragnet,” “Lassie” and “The Lone Ranger.” The stamps go on sale Tuesday at all Phoenix area Post Offices.
Contact:
USPS – Peter Hass, 602-223-3649, phass1@usps.com or ASU Library - Robert Spindler, 480-965-9277, rob.spindler@asu.edu
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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.
