About 124.1 million of the 1993 Elvis Presley stamps were saved by Americans, according to the post office, which does an annual survey of 10,000 households to determine which stamps are most popular.
Rising into second spot was the Wonders of America set with 87.5 million stamps saved, the agency said.
“Stamp collecting continues as one of the world’s most popular educational hobbies that the entire family can enjoy,” Postmaster General John Potter said in a statement.
The post office receives stamp ideas from an estimated 50,000 people annually, with 20 to 25 suggestions making it onto postage. The avalanche of ideas is reviewed by an independent advisory committee which sends its recommendations to the postmaster general for a final decision.
“The fact that 10 of the top 25 were issued in the last three years serves as a testament to the committee’s expertise in selecting dynamic subjects and America’s continued interest in the hobby,” Potter added.
People who want to make suggestions can send their ideas to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, Stamp Development, U.S. Postal Service, 1735 North Lynn St., Rm. 5013, Arlington, Va., 22209.
January 8, 1993
Elvis postage stamps are released by the U.S. Postal Service. In 1992, the U.S. Postal Service announced that Elvis’ image would be used for a commemorative postage stamp. The Postal Service narrowed the artwork choices down to two images – one of Elvis in the 1950’s as a sizzling young rocker, and one of the singer in a suit as a concert superstar in his 1973 “Aloha from Hawaii” special. In an unprecedented move, the USPS put the decision to the American people and distributed ballots coast to coast. Over 1.2 million votes were cast and the image of the young rocker won. The stamp was released on January 8, 1993, with extravagant first day of issue ceremonies at Graceland. Elvis postage stamps are the most widely publicized stamp issue in the history of the U.S. Postal Service and it is the top selling commemorative postage stamp of all time. The USPS printed 500 million of them, three times the usual print run for a commemorative stamp. Several countries outside the U.S. also have issued Elvis postage stamps over the years–a tribute to his status as an international music star.
All-Time Top 25 Most Popular Stamps List
| Issue | No. saved (millions) |
|---|---|
| Elvis, 1993 | 124.1 |
| Wonders of America, 2006 | 87.5 |
| Marvel Super Heroes, 2007 | 85.5 |
| Star Wars, 2007 | 80.8 |
| Wildflowers, 1992 | 76.1 |
| Rock and Roll, 1993 | 75.9 |
| DC Comics Super Heroes, 2006 | 73.0 |
| Greetings from America, 2002 | 71.4 |
| Insects and Spiders, 1999 | 61.0 |
| Art of Disney: Romance, 2006 | 57.2 |
| Legends of Baseball, 2000 | 53.9 |
| Art of Disney: Magic, 2007 | 53.8 |
| Pacific Coast Lighthouses, 2007 | 53.6 |
| Art of Disney: Celebration, 2005 | 52.8 |
| The Simpsons, 2009 | 50.1 |
| Baseball Playing Fields, 2001 | 49.0 |
| Art of Disney: Friendship, 2004 | 47.7 |
| Civil War, 1995 | 46.6 |
| Legends of the West, 1994 | 46.4 |
| Marilyn Monroe, 1995 | 46.4 |
| Art of Disney: Imagination, 2008 | 46.2 |
| Advances in Aviation, 2005 | 45.8 |
| Bugs Bunny, 1997 | 44.1 |
| Frank Sinatra, 2008 | 42.7 |
| Lunar New Year, 2005 | 42.7 |
For ever the King!!!…
I wish both of the Elvis stamps would have been available. I am sure they would also have sold like crazy,
Nice article.