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Stamp Degrees of Separation

The Stamp Collecting Report. I'm Lloyd de Vries.

Many of the stamps the U-S now issues are related to previous stamps. Some people put 
together mini-collections related by subjects, called "topical" or "thematic" 
collections. 

Significant historic anniversaries come up every 50 years -- such as statehoods or 
national leaders. Go back half a century...and sometimes not even that much...and you'll 
find another stamp for that subject.

For the entertainment issues.. It's a little tougher. The Postal Service concentrates 
on subjects that we all remember -- like Frank Sinatra or Star Wars.

But with a little research, you can find some fascinating tie-ins. For instance, Bette 
Davis -- this year's Legend of Hollywood -- had three leading men who have been on U-S 
stamps: Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart and Ronald Reagan -- ok, ok, so Reagan wasn't honored 
as an actor, but he was on a stamp. And playing her first substantive movie role in 
Davis' "All About Eve" was Marilyn Monroe, whose stamp was issued in 1995.

All it takes is a little research...and sometimes you come up with some real gems. Here's 
one: Three of the five big bandleaders honored in 1996 -- Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and 
Benny Goodman -- not only worked together before they were famous, they ROOMED together 
while playing in the pit orchestra for a George Gershwin show.

For some of us...finding these relationships is a challenge -- and a lot of fun.

I'm Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting, 
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.

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