What:

The U.S. Postal Service is saluting the legendary Marvin Gaye with a Forever stamp — the newest addition to the Music Icons series.

The first-day-of-issue event for the stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #MusicIcons and #MarvinGayeStamp.

Who:

Gary R. Barksdale, Chief Postal Inspector, United States Postal Service and Dedicating Official

When:

Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at 11 a.m. PDT

Where:

The Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

RSVP:

Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/marvingaye.

Background:

Marvin Gaye was one of the most influential music performers of his generation. Also known as the “Prince of Soul,” he helped shape the buoyant sound of the Motown record label in the 1960s and broaden the scope of R&B music in the 1970s. Released in 1971, his expansive masterwork, What’s Going On, is widely considered one of the greatest recordings in the history of American popular music.

The artwork for this stamp features a portrait of Marvin Gaye inspired by historic photographs. Gaye’s name appears vertically on the right side of the stamp. “USA” and the Forever® denomination are in the top left.

The stamp pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps and brief text about Gaye’s legacy, with the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out the top of the sleeve. Another portrait of Gaye, also inspired by historic photographs, appears on the reverse along with the Music Icons series logo.

Art director Derry Noyes worked on the stamp pane with artist Kadir Nelson.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

###