To mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Frank Sinatra on May 14, 1998, the U.S. Postal Service is  releasing 120 million 42 cent first-class stamps carrying portraits of the late entertainer.  “One hundred twenty million portraits of ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ will carry our cards, letters and packages to their destinations all around the world,” said Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Alan Kessler.

His family was delighted with their father, who died at the age of 82, getting the official stamp of approval.

“Our father loved this country,” said the Sinatra family, represented by Nancy, Frank Jr. and Tina Sinatra, in a statement. “This would have been one of his happiest days.”

Art director Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, worked with stamp artist Kazuhiko Sano of Mill Valley, California, to create the image based on a 1950s photograph of the entertainer, one of whose songs was “I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a Letter.”

Photo courtesy of the US Postal Service.