# 4892a - 2014 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Legends of Hollywood: Charlton Heston

U.S. #4892a

2014 49¢ Charlton Heston Imperforate

Legends of Hollywood

Charlton Heston (1923-2008) appeared in 100 films in a career that spanned over sixty years. Known for portraying strong masculine roles in sprawling blockbuster movies, Heston also held deep convictions and was an outspoken political activist. 

Heston began acting in high school. After serving in World War II, he settled in New York City, where he dedicated his talents to stage and television. Hollywood producer Hal B. Wallis saw a performance and offered Heston a movie contract. He agreed to act in just “one film to see what it’s like.”

Heston’s first professional role was in the 1950 film, Dark City. His breakthrough came two years later with Cecil B. DeMille’s The Greatest Show on Earth. That film was followed by the actor’s portrayal of Moses in The Ten Commandments, the title role in Ben-Hur, and Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy.

Heston was also active in the Civil Rights Movement, joining the March on Washington and protesting segregation. He later backed conservative ideals, supporting Ronald Reagan and serving as the spokesman for the National Rifle Association.

In 2002, Heston learned he had Alzheimer’s. He faced the diagnosis and the twilight of his career bravely. “I’ve played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses – that’s probably enough for any man.”

This stamp pictures a color portrait by movie artist Drew Struzan. He modeled the painting after a photo taken by Lydia Heston, Charlton’s wife.

49¢ Charlton Heston, issued to satisfy the first-class mail rate

Issue Date: April 11, 2014

City: Hollywood, CA, as part of the TCM Classic Film Festival at the Creative Life Chinese Theatre.

Category: Commemorative

Printed By: Ashton Potter

Printing Method: Lithographed in sheets of 180, with nine panes of 20 per sheet

Perforations: Imperforate

Self-adhesive

Charlton Heston is the 18th person to be honored in the Legends of Hollywood series. The series, which features film stars from the Golden-Age of Hollywood, began in 1995 with a stamp picturing Marilyn Monroe.

Scarce Modern Imperforates

The modern imperforate stamps are one of the hottest stories around.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 

To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, yet most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.

In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers and have continued issuing imperforates in the years since.

Because they were issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchased a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.