U.S. Postal Service Shares a Photo of New Marvin Gaye Stamp in Front of the Howard Theatre

Photo: Getty Images 

Back in November, the United States Postal Service announced entertainment icons Marvin Gaye and Gregory Hines as part of its latest Music Icons and Black Heritage Stamp series respectively. 

While the Hines commemorative stamp was issued on January 28, the stamp dedicated to the “Prince of Soul” is set to be released on Gaye’s birthday, April 2. In the meantime, the U.S. Postal Service shared an actual photo of the stamp with the caption: 

“We’re honoring the life, legend and sound of Marvin Gaye (1939 – 1984) with the newest stamp in our Music Icons series. Pictured here in front of Washington D.C.’s @howardtheatre, where he graced the stage, our stamp features a portrait of Gaye inspired by historic photographs.” 

The stamp pane was designed by art director Derry Noyes with original art by Kadir Nelson. The double sided pane includes the stamps, a description about Gaye’s legacy, the Music Icons series logo, and another photo of Gaye. 

In their post, the U.S. Postal Service added: “With hits like ‘Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,’ ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine,’ and ‘Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,’ Gaye helped shape the buoyant sound of the Motown record label in the 1960s. Released in 1971, his expansive masterwork, ‘What’s Going On,’ is widely considered one of the greatest recordings in the history of American popular music. Gaye’s presence and unique sound will live on forever through his music and now through the mail.”