# 4786a - 2013 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Music Icons Series: Lydia Mendoza

U.S. # 4786a
2013 46¢ Lydia Mendoza Imperforate

Music Icons Series

Crossing the Texas border, a four-year-old girl was doused with gasoline by immigration officials to kill lice. Putting poverty and humiliation behind, Lydia Mendoza (1916-2007) soon became the first icon of Mexican-American culture.

Like thousands of other immigrants fleeing the Mexican Revolution, the Mendoza’s made their home in the Texas borderlands and found work as migrant laborers. Lydia learned to play guitar from her parents and songs lyrics from collecting bubble gum wrappers, which had the words printed on them to promote music publishers.

The Mendoza women played music for money in plazas and cafes, a practice that was dominated by men. After the family hitchhiked to San Antonio, Lydia caught the attention of a local radio announcer. Live radio performances led to a recording contract in 1934. Lydia’s version of Mal Hombre, which she had learned from a gum wrapper, became an overnight success. Accompanied only by her 12-string guitar, Lydia’s clear, powerful song styling helped to make Tejano (Texas-Mexican) music popular.

Known as the “Lark of the Border” and the Queen of Tejano music, Mendoza became the first Texan to receive the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship lifetime achievement award.

Designed by Greg Breeding, the Mendoza stamp includes a 1950s photograph behind a design similar to the Texas flag.  The stamp and full pane were designed to resemble a 45rpm record sleeve, with the pane picture part of a record peeking through the top. 

Value: 46¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate

Issued:  May 15, 2013

First Day City:  San Antonio, TX

Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Avery Dennison
Method: Photogravure printing in sheets of 128 in 8 panes of 16
Perforation: Imperforate  

Self-Adhesive

Lydia Mendoza has the distinction of being the first honoree in the U.S.P.S.’s Music Icons Series.  Begun in 2013, it pays tribute to performers representing a variety of eras and genres.  All the stamps and panes in the series are the same size, with the panes designed to look like record sleeves.

Scarce Modern Imperforates

The modern imperforate stamps are one of the hottest stories around.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 

To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, yet most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.

In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers.

Because they were issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchased a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.