For the thirteenth issuance in the Legends of Hollywood Series, the U.S. Postal Service honored James Stewart, the American film star whose lanky physique, drawling speech, and naturalistic acting style made the characters he played seem "real." Art director Phil Jordan designed the stamp using a portrait of Stewart by Drew Struzan of Pasadena, California, who based his work on publicity still for "The Stratton Story." The painting on the selvage, also by Struzan, shows Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," the 1939 film for which he received his first Academy Award nomination for best actor.
The 41-cent stamp was issued on August 17, 2007, in Universal City, California. Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Virginia, designed the stamp. 55 million stamps were printed.
Reference:
Postal Bulletin (July 19, 2007).
Glossary
