JUDY GARLAND TO BE COMMEMORATED ON U. S. POSTAGE STAMP

Stage and screen legend Judy Garland will be commemorated on a postage stamp as part of the Postal Service's Legends of Hollywood series. The new stamp is to be unveiled today in New York on what would have been Judy's 84th birthday.

The actress known across the globe for her movie musical turn as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" will become the 12th inductee into the collection issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, MN, the actress grew to become an all-around performer, acting in comedy or drama, singing and dancing.

In 1940, Garland won a special Academy Award "for her outstanding performance as a screen juvenile during the past year" — having appeared in "The Wizard of Oz" and "Babes in Arms." Other films include "For Me and My Gal," "Meet Me in St. Louis," and Academy Award nominated roles in "A Star Is Born" and "Judgment at Nuremberg." Following her acclaimed, self-titled performance run at Broadway's Palace Theater in 1951, she was honored with a special Tony Award. Garland has also appeared as a pivotal character in Broadway's "The Boy From Oz" and Off-Broadway's current "The Property Known as Garland." Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp using a portrait of Garland by Brooklyn artist Tim O'Brien based on a publicity photo for "A Star Is Born." A reproduction of Garland's signature appears across the bottom of the stamp. (shown above)