No, the same spelling is not coincidence.

Yes, it is my daughter’s namesake.

This issuance in the Legends of Hollywood series honors Katharine Hepburn, one of America’s most fascinating and enduring film stars. The stamp portrait is a publicity still from the film “Woman of the Year” (MGM, 1942). The photographer was Clarence S. Bull. The selvage image shows Hepburn as she appeared in the play “West Side Waltz” (photo by Steve Schapiro).

  • Issue: Katharine Hepburn
  • Item Number: 465000
  • Denomination: 44-cent
  • Issue Type: Commemoratve
  • Stamp Format: Pane
  • Stamp Count: 20
  • Design Count: 1
  • Series: Legends of Hollywood
  • Issue Date: May 12, 2010
  • Issue City: Old Saybrook, CT 06475
  • Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
  • Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
  • Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
  • Existing Photo: Clarence S. Bull
  • Engraver: Trident
  • Modeler: Avery Dennison, SPD
  • Manufacturing Process: Gravure
  • Printer: Avery Dennison (AVR)
  • Printed at: Clinton, SC
  • Press Type: Dia Nippon Kiko (DNK)
  • Stamps per Pane: 20
  • Print Quantity: 50 million stamps
  • Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type III
  • Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
  • Processed at: AVR, Clinton, SC
  • Colors: Black, PMS 444 (Gray)
  • Stamp Orientation: Vertical
  • Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.33 x 36.06 mm
  • Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
  • Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.169 x 8.474 in./182.09 x 215.23 mm
  • Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
  • Plate Numbers: “V” followed by two (2) single digits Marginal Markings
  • Front: Header: “LEGENDS OF HOLLYWOOD” • “16TH IN A SERIES” top left hand corner of pane • Paragraph on Hepburn’s life • Plate numbers in four corners of pane
  • Back: © 2009 USPS • USPS logo • Barcode “465000” in one corner of pane • Price • Plate position diagram • Three short paragraphs about Katharine Hepburn • Licensing and copyright information