Miles Davis, Edith Piaf Honored With Postage Stamps in Their Likeness

Legendary musicians Miles Davis and Edith Piaf have joined the ranks of postage stamp royalty, as the United States Postal Service has officially issued two new Forever stamps in their likeness.

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The stamps, available now in the States, will also be made available with the French postal service, La Poste, in June.

“On behalf of the Miles Davis family, we are honored that the U.S. Postal Service and La Poste are paying homage to the timeless legacy of Sir Miles Dewey Davis,” said Cheryl Davis, Erin Davis and Vince Wilburn, Jr. -- Miles’ daughter, son and nephew, respectively.

Davis won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. The iconic jazz musician was also awarded the Grande Medaille de Vermeil by the city of Paris in 1989, which was awarded to him by then mayor Jacques Chirac.

The story of Davis’ life is currently in the works for two big screen adaptations. One to be directed by Notorious helmer George Tillman, Jr., and another to star Don Cheadle with Antoine Fuqua directing and Herbie Hancock handling music. The Davis estate has officially thrown their support behind the latter project. 

“Our intention is to make a feature film that will appeal beyond the worldwide audience of Miles Davis die-hard fans, to also include those who don't know the first thing about the man, and introduce new ears to his music,” said producer Nick Davis Raynes. “In much the same way that Walk The Line and Ray were able to open the world's eyes to the life stories of Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, respectively, we want to make a film that will do the same justice for Miles Davis. Miles, in his fifty-year career as a musician, transcends time, space and race."

Piaf, perhaps best known for her 1946 song “La Vie en Rose,” is a cultural icon whose music is still played today on the streets of Paris.

The photos chosen for each stamp are in black-and-white -- Davis’ a 1970 photograph by David Gahr, and Piaf’s an undated studio portrait. At the time of issuance, both stamps are sold for 45 cents a piece, or $9 for a sheet of 20.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story only made mention of George Tillman, Jr.'s film. The Antoine Fuqua project was later added.