2014 49¢ Wilt Chamberlain

Known by friends and fans as the “Big Dipper,” “Goliath,” or “Wilt the Stilt,” Wilton Chamberlain (1936-1999) stood a towering 7'1" tall. With such height and an arm span of over seven feet, he was built for basketball. 

As a youth, Chamberlain thought the sport was “for sissies” and opted to play track and field instead.&nb...  more

2014 49¢ Wilt Chamberlain

Known by friends and fans as the “Big Dipper,” “Goliath,” or “Wilt the Stilt,” Wilton Chamberlain (1936-1999) stood a towering 7'1" tall. With such height and an arm span of over seven feet, he was built for basketball. 

As a youth, Chamberlain thought the sport was “for sissies” and opted to play track and field instead. But growing up in a basketball-dominated city like Philadelphia, the call of the court eventually turned him to the sport. Already at 6'10" when he started high school, Chamberlain quickly became a lead scorer and was invited to more than 200 universities during his senior year.

Chamberlain set several records in his first few years with the National Basketball Association (NBA). Although a formidable scorer, it was his defense that eventually won him a championship. In 1967, he averaged career-low points per game but led the league in rebounds, taking the 76ers to a title win that year. Again focusing on defense in 1972, he led the Lakers to their first-ever NBA title.

With numerous records, four MVP titles and two NBA championships under his belt, Wilt retired in 1973. His 1978 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame forever memorialized Chamberlain as the basketball legend that he truly was.

The two Wilt Chamberlain stamps issued show him in his L.A. Lakers uniform and wearing his Philadelphia Warriors uniform. The extra tall stamps pay tribute to Chamberlain’s height – 7’ 1”.

49¢ Wilt Chamberlain, issued to satisfy the first-class mail rate

Issue Date: December 5, 2014
City: Philadelphia, PA – The First Day of Issue ceremony took place during a Philadelphia 76ers game.
Quantity: 50,000,000

Category: Commemorative
Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products
Printing Method: Lithographed in sheets of 144, with eight panes of 18 per sheet
Perforations: Serpentine Die Cut 11 X 10 ¾

Self-adhesive