In our previous articles, we looked at stamps honoring famous figures like Clint Eastwood, John F. Kennedy, Bob Dylan, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Paul McCartney. This time, we're focusing on Judy Garland - a much-loved star of movies and music whose legacy still lives on. From her famous role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz to her lasting impact on Hollywood, Garland has been honored with several beautiful postage stamps.
Judy Garland (birth name was Frances Ethel Gumm) was born in 1922 and started performing when she was a child, often with her two older sisters - Mary Jane Gumm and Dorothy Virginia Gumm.
Note: Judy Garland, along with her sisters Mary Jane Gumm and Dorothy Virginia Gumm, formed a singing group called The Gumm Sisters in the 1920s and early 1930s. Later, they briefly performed as The Garland Sisters, with Judy (who was still using her birth name, Frances Gumm) taking the spotlight.
She became famous as a teenager and grew into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. People loved her strong singing voice, deep emotions, and charm on screen. Even though she faced many personal challenges, her talent made a big mark on movies and music. Today, she is remembered as one of the most important entertainers of the 1900s.
The Wizard of Oz - Judy Garland and Toto
United States – 1990/03/23
Her most famous role was playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939), where she sang the well-known song “Over the Rainbow”. That role became a symbol of hope and magic for many people. In 1990, the U.S. Postal Service honored the film with a 25-cent stamp showing Judy as Dorothy with her dog Toto. The stamp was part of a special set celebrating famous movies from 1939.
Judy Garland has been a well-loved pop culture icon for many years. Her picture has appeared on many items, including collectibles, posters, and especially postage stamps that celebrate her life and career. In the world of stamp collecting, she is seen as one of the famous stars honored by U.S. commemorative stamps.
“Many United States presidents have been honored numerous times on postage stamps, but how about people who weren’t presidents? Himes told the postal clerk that Elvis Presley was not the first, identifying Lucille Ball, Judy Garland and Alfred Hitchcock as other double honorees.” - linns.com
Judy Garland
Series: Legends of Hollywood
United States – 2006/06/10
In 2006, the U.S. Postal Service released a stamp honoring Judy Garland as part of its Legends of Hollywood series.
Note: Other notable stamps in this Legends of Hollywood series include Marilyn Monroe (1995), James Dean (1996), Humphrey Bogart (1997), Alfred Hitchcock (1998), James Cagney (1999), Edward G. Robinson(2000), Lucille Ball (2001), Cary Grant (2002), Audrey Hepburn (2003), John Wayne (2004), Henry Fonda (2005), James Stewart (2007), Bette Davis (2008), Gary Cooper (2009), Katharine Hepburn (2010), Gregory Peck (2011), Charlton Heston (2014), Ingrid Bergman (2015), and Shirley Temple (2016).
The stamp features a picture of Judy Garland with a movie scene in the background, showing her film career. It was released on June 10, 2006, during a special event at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The stamp was sold in sheets of 20 and is still a favorite among collectors today.
Judy Garland’s legacy lives on through the stamps that celebrate her incredible talent and impact on movie history. While you wait for the next article, feel free to check out our earlier stories from the celebrity series.
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