# 4950-51b - 2014 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Wilt Chamberlain

U.S. #4950-51b

2014 49¢ Wilt Chamberlain Imperforate

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.

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: Imperforate

Self-adhesive

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 and have continued issuing imperforates in the years since.

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.