 |
| Image Courtesy: Ulrich Felzmann |
The design of her stamp featured a well-known photograph of her from the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's," where she is seen with a cigarette holder.
However, before the stamps could be issued, Audrey Hepburn's son, Sean Ferrer, objected to the design. He found the image inappropriate because it showed his mother with a cigarette holder, which he felt was not a fitting tribute considering Hepburn's later work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and her advocacy for children's welfare. Ferrer suggested using an alternative image, but an agreement could not be reached with the postal authorities.
Due to the objections and the inability to resolve the issue, the stamps were ordered to be destroyed. Out of the 14 million stamps printed, nearly all were incinerated. However, a small number of these stamps somehow escaped destruction and found their way into the hands of collectors.
In 2005, five of these rare stamps surfaced and were sold at auctions, fetching high prices due to their rarity and the intriguing story behind them. One of these stamps sold in 2018 for €53,000 in an auction in Berlin and in 2021 Gaertner sold one for $176,000. The proceeds from some of these auctions were donated to charity, including causes supported by Hepburn during her lifetime.
The Audrey Hepburn stamp saga remains a notable example of how philately intersects with popular culture and personal legacy, highlighting the sensitive nature of representing public figures on postage stamps.
However, before the stamps could be issued, Audrey Hepburn's son, Sean Ferrer, objected to the design. He found the image inappropriate because it showed his mother with a cigarette holder, which he felt was not a fitting tribute considering Hepburn's later work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and her advocacy for children's welfare. Ferrer suggested using an alternative image, but an agreement could not be reached with the postal authorities.
Due to the objections and the inability to resolve the issue, the stamps were ordered to be destroyed. Out of the 14 million stamps printed, nearly all were incinerated. However, a small number of these stamps somehow escaped destruction and found their way into the hands of collectors.
In 2005, five of these rare stamps surfaced and were sold at auctions, fetching high prices due to their rarity and the intriguing story behind them. One of these stamps sold in 2018 for €53,000 in an auction in Berlin and in 2021 Gaertner sold one for $176,000. The proceeds from some of these auctions were donated to charity, including causes supported by Hepburn during her lifetime.
The Audrey Hepburn stamp saga remains a notable example of how philately intersects with popular culture and personal legacy, highlighting the sensitive nature of representing public figures on postage stamps.
No comments:
Post a Comment