In celebration of this year’s Australia Day down unda, the Australian Post has announced and unveiled a new set of special edition postage stamps that feature Australian legends Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush and Cate Blanchett. How fabulous! Here is a photo of the Aussie legends as they’ll appear on the first batch of postage stamps and some information about this postal tribute:
Australians will get the chance to lick four of the nation’s most popular entertainers who have been selected to appear on a special series of postage stamps to mark Australia Day. Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe and Geoffrey Rush have been named Australia Post “Australian Legends” in the lead-up to January 26. “These four outstanding Australians have captured the imagination of millions of people in Australia and around the world with their award-winning performances,” Australia Post managing director Graeme John said in a statement. There are eight 55 cent stamps in the series, featuring photos of the stars in and out of character, including Kidman from Moulin Rouge, Blanchett from Elizabeth, Crowe from Gladiator and Rush from Shine. “I am utterly, deeply humbled and chuffed by the fact that I’m a stamp,” Blanchett said in a statement. “I’m going to be licked by millions of Australians and I can’t wait. It is also recognising the value of the arts in Australia. It brings it into general consumption and if I’m part of that, I feel intensely proud.” Kidman was similarly pleased with her selection. “I have a vested interest in Australia,” Kidman said. “I want my children to live here at certain times of their life and see how wonderful it is. It would be lovely for them to lick a stamp, put it on an envelope and say ‘that’s my mum’.” Each of the stars will be presented with 24-carat gold replicas of their stamps.
In the US, you have to be dead (like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, etc.) or not living (like Mickey Mouse, Superman, etc.) to have your likeness printed on postage stamps but I think it’s very cool that other countries choose to honor people while they are still alive … and can appreciate the tribute. As the article mentioned, there are 8 total stamps to honor these Australian legends — after the jump, check out the other 4 stamps that feature these actors in some of their most famous movie roles …
Altho Nicole Kidman won her Academy Award for The Hours, the Australian Post decided to use her role in Moulin Rouge for this stamp. Russell Crowe did win his Academy Award for Gladiator as did Geoffrey Rush for his work in Shine. Cate Blanchett won her Academy Award for The Aviator but is featured here in her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Congrats and kudos so these Aussie legends on this unique accomplishment. Lick away, Aussies! These folks deserve it!
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That’s cool but OK, I have to ask- What about Heath Ledger???
I was going to say the same thing as above…I am suprised Heath isn’t in there!! Drop Russell and add Heath…the other three are well deserved!!
What about Hugh Jackman???
Totes, Heath needs to be on there – and Hugh Jackman for the eye candy ;)
I bet Heath Ledger will get his own stamp after he hopefully wins his Academy Award next month :)
I’ve been waiting years for the chance to lick Cate! *hearts*
Where is the Kylie stamp? :(
is it just me or does the whole licking buissness sound kinna dodgy?!
Where is the stamp for the sweetheart of Australia Olivia Newton-John?
What’s up with Nicole Kidman’s stamp in the first set? The suit and the hand propped under the chin makes it look like a promo photo for a staffing company.
I think this is going to be a series of stamps, so next you might see Hugh, Heath, Olivia Newton John and Kylie on them. No need to get upset that they left people off. :).
Also, Australians still have to lick stamps? Sad. The sticker ones are so much better…no icky aftertaste.
I got to lick Russell at the post office yesterday. lol Too bad it wasn’t the real thing. These are just the first run of stamps…there are others like Heath and Hugh to come out yet. And no, we don’t really have to lick stamps. We’re pretty advanced down here y’know.
As for bosie’s BORING. Um, why? It’s just a thread about stamps. Grow up and look outside the box.
zomg! I want that Cate stamp!
Heath is the first person I think of when I hear the words “Australia” and “Legend”.
Where’s KYLIE?
[...] Nicole and Cate get Australia’s stamp of approval – Pink is the New Blog [...]
Two words: Dame Edna
As for Russel? Pah, you can have him! We’ll keep the Rugby Leauge world cup instead hehehehe
pretty great art, in my humble opinion.
As for Nicole….ermm Australian legend?
I’m an Australian and even i think that’s giving her too much credit.
Great for the others though. and its okay friends, i hope you’re right about this being a series of stamps!
Just to clarify, the stars featured here actually chose what picture to be used in a stamp for their roles. They each chose their favourite role that they have played, hence why Nicole wasn’t chosen for her Oscar winning performance, although i don’t think most people recognise her for The Hours and more for Moulin Rouge, even Eyes Wide Shut is probably more known for Nicole than The Hours.
I don’t know if this was an Oscars winning actors only, but as an Aussie, i reckon Hugh Jackman should be on their if it is actors only. Kylie should definitely deserve her own stamp. AC/DC should have an AC/DC logo branded stamp aswell, that would be awesome.
ALSO, this news is pretty old for Aussies altho i presume majority of readers are Americans. Australia Day is on the 26th and this stamp news was revealed before that!