New Johnny Cash Stamp to Be Released Next Week

A photograph of Johnny Cash taken during his 'Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash' album shoot will be featured on a new forever stamp of the Man in Black. The U.S. Postal Service has announced they'll begin selling the limited edition stamp next week.

Fans and collectors will be able to purchase the stamp on June 5 -- the same day as a release party at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Son John Carter Cash, Randy Travis, Jamey Johnson and the Oak Ridge Boys are among the stars expected to be at that event, occurring one day before the official start of the CMA Music Festival. The young Cash calls the stamp a "blessing" for his family and the singer's legacy.

"Dad was a hard-working man, a man of dignity," he says. "As much as anything else, he was a proud American, always supporting his family, fans and country. I can think of no better way to pay due respect to his legacy than through the release of this stamp."

Daughter Rosanne Cash says her father would have been delighted by the honor. The photo was taken by Frank Bez for the 1963 greatest hits album. The stamp is part of the Postal Service's new Music Icon series, which includes stamps of Ray Charles (available in September) and Tejano music star Lydia Mendoza (available now). A book of 16 Cash stamps is available for pre-order at the USPS website for $7.36. Other keepsakes are available there, as well.