On Monday October 15, 1951, a new series debuted on the CBS network, I Love Lucy. The show starred Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz. So popular was the show when it came out, that it was ranked in the top three during all six years of its original run and was the top ranked show for four of those years. The show is still seen today in syndication and has been shown in more than 80 countries. "Lucy," as she was fondly known, captivated fans with her comic timing, facial expressions, and the wacky situations she always seemed to find herself in.

Nearly 50 years after the debut of I Love Lucy and on what would have been her 90^th birthday, a postage stamp was issued to honor Lucy in the Legends of Hollywood series, following Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Alfred Hitchcock, James Cagney, and Edward G. Robimson. The Lucille Ball stamp is the first issue in the series to use pressure-activated (self-stick) gum. The stamp not only recognizes Lucy for her television roles, but also for her work in movies, as she appeared in more than 70 of them.

The first day ceremony for the stamp was held at the Hollywood History Museum, located in the old Max Factor Building. The venue was a poor choice for such an event as it was much too small to hold the crowd that had gathered. No more than 20 people who were standing in line were let in. Postal and Museum employees and other dignitaries took up the rest of the space in the building. The Los Angeles Fire Marshall, who was present, made sure the room was not too crowded, leading to some initial confusion.

Fred Ball at the podium and Johnnie Grant (honorary Mayor of Hollywood)

USPS Governor Alan Kessler

Giving tribute to Lucy were American Film Institute CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg and Johnny Grant, Chairman of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Honorary Mayor of Hollywood. Grant related how, in a classic I Love Lucy episode, it was his character who pushed Lucy in wet cement outside of the Chinese Theater. Grant also thanked Pacific Area (USPS) VP Al Iniguez for his help in getting the "Hollywood-Home of the Stars" hub cancel. Also paying tribute were actress Virginia Mayo, who remarked that if one wanted to study comedy, to watch Lucy, and Lucy’s younger brother, Fred Ball, who gave a moving tribute. Dedicating the stamp was Postal Governor Alan C. Kessler, who noted that the USPS would "continue our celebration of Hollywood legends with a stamp that honors America’s Queen of Comedy, Lucille Ball." A pleasant surprise at the ceremony was Lucy impersonator Susanne La Rusch, in a black dress, appearing just before the stamp was unveiled.

After the ceremony, Mayo, Fred Ball, and La Rusch sat down for autographs. Here again, confusion reigned. The ceremony attendees were supposed to get their autographs and leave quickly so that those who were waiting outside who did not get to witness the ceremony could at least get autographs. That did not happen. The crowd inside failed to disperse, leaving the building still too crowded. Stamp illustrator Drew Struzan, who was present but not recognized by any of the speakers, gladly gave autographs, as did Johnny Grant. Afterwards, refreshments were served at the nearby Roosevelt Hotel, capping off a momentous, if frustrating, day.