October 24, 2007

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- America voted, and the U.S. Postal Service will deliver the intergalactic results tomorrow, when an image of 900-year-old Jedi Master, Yoda is 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. Tomorrow also marks 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 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 Postal Service history.

The Yoda stamp sheet is available for purchase in Post Offices, on usps.com, and by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 starting tomorrow.