Mustang on Stamp Returns to D.C.
5/26/04, 01:25 PM
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The Mustang that Earned America's 'Stamp Of Approval' Returns to Washington, D.C.</center>
Williams' '65 Mustang was the "poster pony" for a special stamp issued by the Postal Service in 1999 as part of its "celebrate the century" commemorative series featuring the major icons of the 20th century as determined by a public vote.
Of the 3,800 regular and commemorative stamps issued by the Service between 1847 and 2003, only 12 have featured specific car models, according to Wilson Hulme, the curator of philately (stamps) at the museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Mustang is the only honored car still in production.
"It's remarkable enough just knowing that there are 120 million pictures of my car on stamps around the world," said Williams, 56, an administrator at North Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Va. "It really makes me very proud that it represents the Mustang's mark on the history of this country."
The Mustang became a stamp in 1999 when the Postal Service asked Americans to vote on the most memorable and significant people, events and trends for each decade of the 20th century. The 15 winners of each decade were included in its "celebrate the century" stamp series. It was the first time the public, including school children, were invited to put their personal stamp on history by voting on the subjects to be honored.
The Mustang finished seventh in the voting for the 1960s series, behind "Man walks on the moon," the Super Bowl, the peace symbol, Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech, the Green Bay Packers and the Beatles. Finishing behind Mustang were the Barbie Doll, Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, the computer chip, lasers, Woodstock, "Star Trek" and the Peace Corps.
The only other car to make the "celebrate the century" series was the Model T, which was awarded one of the 1900-1910 stamps, along with the Wright Brothers' flight, Ellis Island and the teddy bear.
"Mustang's extensive presence in books, movies and songs underscores how it's been woven into the fabric of American popular culture," said Jim O'Connor, Ford Motor Company group vice president for North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "The recognition on the U.S. stamp was particularly gratifying for us, since the public -- especially school kids -- voted for it."
The original owner of the car on the Mustang stamp was Tom Werbe of Indianapolis who wanted to surprise his wife for her birthday in May of 1964.
Eighteen years later, the '65 Mustang, affectionately known as the "Rangoon Red Ragtop," landed in Williams' caring hands. He restored it to its original luster in 1985, and still drives it on special occasions. It has 189,000 miles on the odometer.
After Williams and his Mustang make their appearance at the National Postal Museum with the 2005 Mustang next Wednesday, the Rangoon Red Ragtop will be displayed in a special salute to transportation at the Smithsonian later this summer.
The Mustang that Earned America's 'Stamp Of Approval' Returns to Washington, D.C.</center>
- The Ford Mustang became a U.S. stamp highlighting key people and events of the 20th century by popular vote of the American public.
- Mustang was one of 15 icons from the 1960s so honored along with others including Man on the Moon and the Beatles.
- The Mustang pictured on the stamp is owned by David Williams of Clifton, Va., who will be with his "poster pony" at the National Postal Museum on June 2, along with the 2005 model.
Williams' '65 Mustang was the "poster pony" for a special stamp issued by the Postal Service in 1999 as part of its "celebrate the century" commemorative series featuring the major icons of the 20th century as determined by a public vote.
Of the 3,800 regular and commemorative stamps issued by the Service between 1847 and 2003, only 12 have featured specific car models, according to Wilson Hulme, the curator of philately (stamps) at the museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Mustang is the only honored car still in production.
"It's remarkable enough just knowing that there are 120 million pictures of my car on stamps around the world," said Williams, 56, an administrator at North Virginia Community College in Alexandria, Va. "It really makes me very proud that it represents the Mustang's mark on the history of this country."
The Mustang became a stamp in 1999 when the Postal Service asked Americans to vote on the most memorable and significant people, events and trends for each decade of the 20th century. The 15 winners of each decade were included in its "celebrate the century" stamp series. It was the first time the public, including school children, were invited to put their personal stamp on history by voting on the subjects to be honored.
The Mustang finished seventh in the voting for the 1960s series, behind "Man walks on the moon," the Super Bowl, the peace symbol, Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech, the Green Bay Packers and the Beatles. Finishing behind Mustang were the Barbie Doll, Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, the computer chip, lasers, Woodstock, "Star Trek" and the Peace Corps.
The only other car to make the "celebrate the century" series was the Model T, which was awarded one of the 1900-1910 stamps, along with the Wright Brothers' flight, Ellis Island and the teddy bear.
"Mustang's extensive presence in books, movies and songs underscores how it's been woven into the fabric of American popular culture," said Jim O'Connor, Ford Motor Company group vice president for North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "The recognition on the U.S. stamp was particularly gratifying for us, since the public -- especially school kids -- voted for it."
The original owner of the car on the Mustang stamp was Tom Werbe of Indianapolis who wanted to surprise his wife for her birthday in May of 1964.
Eighteen years later, the '65 Mustang, affectionately known as the "Rangoon Red Ragtop," landed in Williams' caring hands. He restored it to its original luster in 1985, and still drives it on special occasions. It has 189,000 miles on the odometer.
After Williams and his Mustang make their appearance at the National Postal Museum with the 2005 Mustang next Wednesday, the Rangoon Red Ragtop will be displayed in a special salute to transportation at the Smithsonian later this summer.
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