In the entertainment industry, the defining moment of having truly "made it" is when you're known but just one name. The thing is, names such as Elvis, Cher or Oprah aren't the kind pulled from a baby book. They're … different. I suppose lumping Santa into that category might be a stretch.

Before those, there was a common name that became self-defining — Frank. He had other nom de plumes such as "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes," but even today, when the name Frank is mentioned, it's Sinatra.

Considering he never had a singing lesson or formal training, Sinatra's rise to superstardom remains almost unprecedented. And, to end up on a postage stamp because of his inherent ability underscores that talent. That's not to say he wasn't helped along the way.

After singing with the Harry James orchestra in 1939, bandleader Tommy Dorsey knew he had a golden voice. Dorsey convinced Sinatra to switch to his band under a contract that gave Dorsey and his agent 43 percent of his earnings for the rest of his life. Frank soon wanted out of the deal and offered Dorsey $60,000 to cancel the deal. He didn't bite. Now, fast forward to the film "The Godfather."

In the movie it's no secret the character Johnny Fontane was loosely modeled around Sinatra. Instead of Don Corleone, real-life New Jersey mobster Willie Moretti had taken a liking to Frank. Because of that friendship Moretti and some of his men paid Dorsey a visit. They were "persuasive" enough to get Sinatra out of his contract. The "negotiated" price? $1. You fill in the blanks.

Sinatra parlayed his popularity into garnering a plum role in the move "From Here To Eternity," for which he garnered an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

He was also the original Danny Ocean in "Ocean's Eleven" and starred in the then-controversial "Manchurian Candidate." In 1960, Politics caught his fancy — not as a candidate but supporter of John F. Kennedy.

Along with Rat Pack members Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford he raised money and campaigned tirelessly for JFK. There again, mob connections were discovered involving Sinatra acquaintance Sam Giancana. When Bobby Kennedy became the "Top Cop" as attorney general and went after the mob, wiretaps featuring Giancana revealed that for a brief time Sinatra's life was in jeopardy.

Whether through backdoor deals and connections or the raw talent of being able to "tell a song," there's no disputing the Horatio Alger aspect of Sinatra soaring to the top. The skinny kid from Hoboken, N.J., was the very definition of "cool." Proof of that is simple. Who else could use words like "Kookie" and "Ga-ga" in conversation or song and still have women swoon? Only Frank.

The new 42-cent stamp features a vintage 1960s color photo of the singer/actor with the simple autograph "Sinatra" flowing across the bottom. Because of his coast-to-coast appeal dual First Day of Issue ceremonies are taking place in both New York and Las Vegas.

Collectors can obtain the special First Day cancels on the new stamps by mail. To do so, purchase the Sinatra stamps at a local post office, affix them to a self-addressed envelope, and send that inside of a separate mailing envelope to: Frank Sinatra Stamp, Postmaster, 1001 E. Sunset Road, Room 1006B, Las Vegas, NV 89199-9998. All requests MUST be mailed no later than July 12.

Note to Editors: A JPEG visual of the new Frank Sinatra stamp is being sent for your use 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.

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