U.S. Postal ServiceThe new Elvis Presley Forever stamp was unveiled this morning during a first-day-of-issue ceremony held on the front lawn of the late King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Graceland estate in Memphis. Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, and U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan took part in the event, which was held in conjunction with the 2015 edition of the annual Elvis Week festivities in Memphis.
The stamp, which is the latest addition to the U.S. Postal Service’s “Music Icons” series, went on sale today in post offices across the country and also can be purchased at USPS.com. The Elvis Forever stamp is the second stamp the Postal Service has issued in honor of Presley: A 29-cent stamp featuring the music legend’s image debuted in 1993 and has become the best-selling commemorative stamp ever in the U.S.
“On behalf of Lisa and the entire Presley family, we thank the United States Postal Service for this tremendous honor,” Priscilla said at the dedication ceremony. “We know what a rare tribute it is to receive a second stamp and we’re so pleased to debut it here at Graceland. Elvis would have been thrilled…It’s fitting that this new stamp is a ‘Forever’ stamp, because Elvis is forever in our hearts and in the hearts of millions of his fans around the world.”
During the dedication, a new version of the Presley song “If I Can Dream” was played for attendees. The track appears on a new CD hits compilation called Elvis Presley Forever that was released in conjunction with the Forever stamp, and can be purchased for $9.99 at U.S. post office branches and at USPS.com. The song also will be featured on the upcoming album If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which hits stores on October 30. It includes classic performances by Elvis paired with new orchestral accompaniment.
You can watch a video of the Elvis Forever stamp dedication now at LiveStream.com. The 2015 Elvis Week festivities continue through Sunday, August 16. To find out more details about the celebration, visit Graceland.com/ElvisWeek.
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