What's in Store for Postage Stamps in 2010? by Peter Rexford on Creators.com

Recently

How to Destroy a Coin's Value in Mere Seconds It's so easy to date myself while writing this column. I suppose that's understandable considering the very topic of collectibles suggests something from the past. For instance, those who grew up in cities and larger towns may well remember the …Read more. Where the Glitter of Gold Is Tarnished If you're wearing anything gold take a look at it. Where did the metal come from? Sure, it came from in the earth, but where? With gold prices continuing to reach new heights, more and more people are scouring their drawers and old jewelry boxes to …Read more. Sometimes, Going to the Dogs Is a Good Thing We all know there are "dog people" and "cat people." On the rarest of occasions, someone can be both, but that's the exception. An old observation illustrates why. An owner of a dog will feed it, give it water, pet it and play …Read more. 'Owney' Comes in as No. 1 for 2011 A while back, a reader wrote about the new "Forever" stamps that will always be good for First Class postage. She wondered if because of them we would no longer have different postage stamps. I replied that not only will we continue to …Read more.

What's in Store for Postage Stamps in 2010?

For the countless silent, many that continue to prefer the personal touch of tangible letters to e-mail, the lineup of stamps that will get those letters and packages delivered offers a little something for everyone. Whether you're a fan of sports, cowboys, comics or art, the Postal Service has made an effort to cover most of the bases.

And whether you pick stamps at random, think the design may fit your correspondence or just consider them attractive, here are the stamps — in no particular order — to expect in the coming year.

Anyone with a penchant for altruism and sacrifice will appreciate the stamp for Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa. Known for her humanitarian work and compassion toward the poor and suffering, the diminutive Catholic nun worked in India and throughout the world for nearly 50 years.

Katharine Hepburn joins the Legends of Hollywood series as one of America's most fascinating and enduring film stars, while Cowboys of the Silver Screen salutes four classic western actors, including William S. Hart, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Tom Mix. For the record, Mix — the revered cowboy actor of the 1920s, was a pallbearer at the funeral of actual western hero Wyatt Earp.

The Negro Baseball League gets a big nod paying tribute to the all-black professional baseball athletes that played from 1920 to almost 1960. Including some of the best athletes to play the sport, the Negro players are credited with the eventual integration of all American sports.

In the same vein, this year's Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games are sure to dominate the world of sports. Showing just how open-minded the games have become, the stamp will feature an illustration of a snowboarder — something that was once prohibited on the slopes of Aspen, Vail and other winter ski resorts.

Members of the armed forces are again being recognized on four stamps commemorating the service of distinguished sailors. The stamp honors four sailors who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th century: William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy and Doris Miller. Sims was a commander of U.S. naval forces in Europe who helped shape the Navy into a modern fighting force. Burke was a top destroyer squadron commander in World War II who played a major role in modernizing the Navy in response to the Cold War. McCloy has the distinction of being one of a handful of men to ever earn two Medals of Honor for separate acts of heroism.

Miller was the first African- American hero of World War II because of his service at Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Though not a soldier in the conventional sense, Pulitzer Prize winner Bill Mauldin was considered one of America's favorite cartoonists during World War II. He is still credited for not only boosting morale among soldiers abroad, but also bringing the true essence of the war home through his cartoons.

Michigan's famous Mackinac Bridge (also known as the "Mighty Mac") is the subject of the 2010 Priority Mail stamp, while California's Bixby Creek Bridge will grace the Express Mail stamp. The latter is one of the seven classic concrete-arch bridges that made it possible for travel along the Big Sur coast known as State Highway Route 1.

While being patently subjective, a sheet of 10 stamps honors as many abstract expressionists who are credited with revolutionizing art during the 1940s and 1950s. Each used abstract expressionism comprised of radically different styles. Far more conventional is another set of 10 stamps featuring Flags of Our Nation. Each of the stamp designs will feature the stars and stripes, plus the states of Montana through North Dakota.

The patriotic fervor of the latter may also be found on a stamp honoring Kate Smith. Many will quickly recognize her for her singing ability, especially with her signature song, "God Bless America," composed expressly for her by Irving Berlin.

For lovers — or those who soon hope to be — the 2010 Love stamp will showcase a white woven basket filled with purple pansies.

Oscar Micheaux is the honoree on the 33rd stamp in the Black Heritage series. He was the pioneer filmmaker who wrote, directed, produced and distributed more than 40 movies during the first half of the 20th century.

The Sunday funnies, long a staple of newspapers, get a salute with a stamp pane featuring Archie, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace, Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes. Though adults will quickly deny it, many find the comics just as amusing as kids do.

Other stamps slated to be released include commemoratives for scouting, artist Winslow Homer, the Hawaiian rain forest and, of course, those for Christmas and the winter holidays.

As I have in the past, over the next 12 months, I'll try to give as much information as possible for collectors wishing first-day-of-issue cancels on the stamps.

Editor's Note: JPEG visuals of the Negro Baseball League and Beetle Bailey cartoon stamps to be issued in 2010 have been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.