Detailed Description
The U.S. Postal Service® proudly honors inspiring musician Ray Charles with a stamp, one of several that inaugurates the Music Icons series. This extraordinary composer, singer, and pianist, blind since childhood, went beyond category, blending blues, gospel, country, jazz, and soul music in a unique and highly influential pop music style. His many hits included “I've Got a Woman,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “I Can't Stop Loving You.”
The stamp art features an image of Charles, taken later in his career, by photographer Yves Carrère. The stamp sheet was designed to evoke the appearance of a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the sheet includes the stamps and the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out the top of the sleeve. A larger version of the photograph featured on the stamp and the logo for the Music Icons series appear on the reverse side.
Looking back over the course of his long career, there seemed to be little Charles couldn't do. His work spanned almost the entire breadth of American music and brought him 17 Grammy Awards, plus an award for lifetime achievement in 1987. Countless other prizes include the Polar Music Prize in 1998; the National Medal of Arts, awarded in 1993; and the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986. That same year, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ray Charles performed for seven presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush.
Art director Ethel Kessler worked on the stamp sheet with designer Neal Ashby.
The Ray Charles stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce rate.
Multiple Variations
If you see a OR sign in the picture, this means there are multiple variations available for this item. The item consists of ONLY ONE of the variations as shown in the picture, not all variations. I will send out any one based on availability. If you want to specify any particular variation, please check with me before you bid the item or place the order.
Pre-order item
For any pre-order item, I will always ship it out together with everything on the same invoice once it is available. If you want other items arrive earlier, please let me know and I will split the invoice before you pay.
Large/Special Order
If you have any special order (large quantities, special stamps), please check with me directly. I have not posted everything due to the limited eBay store space.
Shipping & Handling Time
Most of the items (except Pre-order items and FDC) will be sent out within 1 business day after you pay the invoice. Please review the positive feedback from the buyers. The actual delivery time varies due to the destination.
Shipping & Handling Fee
I am trying to offer the lowest shipping fee if possible. The item will be sent out via USPS standard mail (or first class mail) with no tracking number. I will take a picture of the package as proof of delivery. The shipping fee is listed as below -
Combined Shipping Discount
The combined shipping discount can be applied only on the items showing up in the same invoice. Each eligible additional item will be charged an additional of USD $0.10 as the shipping fee. If you have any question, please check with me before you pay. I will always get back to you within 12 hours.
Important tips to save shipping fee -
If you are purchasing multiple stamps through "Buy it now" option, please make sure all the items are in the basket before any payment. Please review the invoice carefully to ensure all the items are listed there so that eBay System can apply the combined shipping discount properly.
Otherwise, eBay / PayPal will charge the FULL shipping fee for each item and they withhold the transaction fee & commission based on FULL shipping payment. There is no easy way to refund the difference unless we cancel all the transactions one by one.
If you have any question, please check with me before any payment.
Package Loss Responsibilities
In order to provide the lowest shipping fee, I am sending all items by USPS standard mail without tracking number. I cannot hold responsible if the packet is lost due to postage. If you need extra shipping protection, please consider the following options and let me know before you pay -
US Stamps Plate Number
The actual plate number of the US Stamps may vary unless it is specified in the Item description / title. If you need the exact plate number shown in the picture, please check with me before you place the order.
US Stamp Sheets Plate Position
The actual plate position of the US Stamp Sheets may vary unless it is specified in the Item description / title. If you need the exact plate position shown in the picture, please check with me before you place the order.