Michael Jackson Stamp?
Will we see Michael Jackson on a US stamp anytime soon? Not if the USPS follows the rules, anyway. Typically, there is a 5 year waiting period after a person’s death before they may be honored with a US stamp, except for presidents and former presidents, who can be honored within one year of their death. Rules, however, mean nothing to the ever flamboyant and controversial Reverend Al Sharpton, who has demanded in his usual blusterous manner that Michael Jackson be honored on a US stamp as soon as possible.
Of course, we know this will not happen just because Reverend Sharpton asks for it to be so, but you’ll be sure to hear much in the near future about how this is just another example of institutional discrimination in this country. What it’s really about is Sharpton, once again, sticking his nose in and trying to make a name for himself where he doesn’t belong. The man has a long, long history of this kind of behavior, and this call for a new stamp is just the latest example of it. I, for one, wish he would find some other way to make his unreasonable demands and stay way clear of stamps and stamp collecting.
Undoubtedly, Michael Jackson will eventually get a US stamp in his honor, but time will pass before that happens. I leave it up to you to judge whether or not he is worthy of such an honor. I have my own opinion on that matter, but I’ll just leave it at that. After all, there have been other notable Americans with colorful pasts that have had stamps issued in their honor, so the probability is high that Michael Jackson will also be honored.
Now, if you’re just dying to get your hands on Michael Jackson stamps now, there are other countries that have issued stamps honoring the man. The illustration below is one such issue, a souvenir sheet honoring Michael Jackson’s 50th birthday from Guinea-Bissau. You’ll also find many stamps and souvenir sheets from the usual suspect countries for such issues such as St. Vincent, Grenada, Grenadines, and lots of little countries in the Balkans. Just have a look on eBay and I’m sure you’ll find lots of Michael Jackson stamps, though if I were you I’d wait a week or two. Prices are bound to skyrocket for a while, since Michael Jackson is such a hot topic right now.
Al Sharpton, Michael Jackson, philately, Sharpton, stamp collecting, stamps