Elvis Presley stamps sold early in Tennessee

Elvis has just left the building — a little earlier than he was supposed to.

A stamp collector reports purchasing three 16-stamp panes of the new Elvis Presley commemorative forever stamp in the Mason, Tenn., post office on Aug. 10, two days before the Aug. 12 official issue date.

David Saks told Linn’s Stamp News that he walked into the post office on Monday afternoon, asking for the Elvis Presley stamps.

He bought the three panes offered to him and used one full pane to prepare 16 envelopes postmarked Aug. 10.

The remaining panes are also postmarked with the early date, Saks reports.

Saks told Linn's that officials with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service visited him Aug. 11.

"They wanted to make certain that I didn't offer the clerk any money for the sheets," Saks said. 

"They were very kind, very polite, and inquired as to whether or not I had any previous knowledge that the Elvis stamps would be on sale anywhere before Aug. 12, of which I did not.

"They also inquired as to whether or not I exchanged any additional money with the clerk for the stamps, which would have been illegal to do."

The Aug. 12 Elvis Presley first-day ceremony is taking place on the front lawn of Graceland, Presley’s mansion in Memphis, Tenn.

Modern U.S. early-use covers normally have nominal value in the stamp market. International interest of Elvis Presley fans might stimulate increased interest in early finds of the Elvis Presley forever stamp.

If you think you have an early use cover, Linn’s editors need to see the actual item to verify that it exists.

Actual covers allow for better reproduction so that the stamp and cancel date can be clearly pictured.

Address items to Early Uses, Linn’s Stamp News Editorial, Box 4129, Sidney, OH 45365.