Yoda Makes His Solo Debut, While R2-D2 Makes His Last

America voted, and the U.S. Postal Service will deliver the intergalactic results on Oct. 25, when an image of 900-year-old Jedi Master Yoda will be dedicated as a sheet of 20 stamps in New York City at Madison Square Garden. Since this 10 a.m. event is just six days before Halloween, stamp enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from the Star Wars Saga.


The Yoda Stamp dedication also marks the kick-off of the Fall Postage Stamp Mega-Event. This year's event will feature digital and traditional stamp exhibits. The U.S. Postal Service and the United Nations Postal Administration will each be holding various stamp ceremonies during the three-day Stamp Mega-Event. For more information on the stamp show visit www.asdaonline.com.


Since March, 400 mail collection boxes across the country have been dressed as the beloved R2-D2. But now it's time for Artoo to get back to his droid duties. Oct. 25 will mark Artoo's last appearance on street corners. In the weeks following, these temporarily decorated collection boxes will be moved from the busy streets of America to busy military bases overseas.


The combined Force of Star Wars and the U.S. Postal Service is only just beginning. The full Star Wars stamp collection, which depicts 15 images from the movie, will remain on sale until May 25, 2008, while the single Yoda stamp that goes on sale Oct. 25 will remain available through Oct. 25, 2008, continuing one of the most notable collaborations in U.S. Postal Service history.


An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail.


STAR WARS, Yoda, R2-D2 and related names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & (C) Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.


Source: U.S. Postal Service