1999 33c Celebrate the Century - 1970s: TV Series "All in the Family"

US #3189b
1999 TV Series – Celebrate the Century (1970s)

• Part of the eighth sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Commemorates the debut of “All in the Family”
• Includes text on the back with historical details

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: November 18, 1999
First Day City: New York, New York
Quantity Issued: 90,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.5
Tagging: Block tagging

Why the stamp was issued: To recall the popularity of the new TV series “All in the Family” and its influence on Americans.

About the stamp design: Pictures a painting by Kazuhiko Sano. Includes the following text on the back: “Debuting in 1971, the innovative TV series “All in the Family” was the top-rated show five consecutive seasons. Prejudiced Archie, kindhearted Edith, and liberal Mike and Gloria lit verbal fireworks over subjects previously taboo.”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Postage Stamp Mega-Event at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

About the Celebrate the Century series: The USPS launched the Celebrate the Century series in 1998 to mark the end of the 20th century and herald the arrival of the 21st. The series includes 10 sheets of 15 stamps (150 in total), with each honoring important moments from a different decade (1900s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s). At the time of completion, it was the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.

History the stamp represents: The first “All In the Family” pilot was taped in 1969 in New York City. The show was originally called “Those Were the Days.” A second pilot, which recast Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers as Mike and Gloria, was filmed when the show didn’t take off. The CBS network bought the series in 1970 after ABC turned it down. The show, produced by Norman Lear, premiered on January 12, 1971. It won an Emmy for outstanding comedy series in its first year on TV.

The star of “All in the Family” was Carroll O’Connor, who played Archie Bunker. Jean Stapleton played his “ding-bat” wife, Edith. From Queens, new York, Archie was middle-aged, blue-collar, and under-educated. He was an opinionated, conventional man who had difficulty accepting change. Viewers were challenged to recognize their own prejudices through Archie. The show became popular based on its talented cast members, satirical intent, and honest story lines.

In 1972, “All In the Family” won seven Emmy awards. Edith and Archie Bunker’s living room chairs, the focal point of the show’s set, were placed in the Smithsonian Institution in 1978. The show ended one year later. “All In the Family” produced several spin-off shows, like “Sanford and Son” and “The Jeffersons.”