(Edited press release)
Walter Mondale, former vice president of the United States and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and his wife Joan, member of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, will lead a special first day of sale ceremony at noon May 11, for the new commemorative US Postal Service stamped envelope of legendary racehorse, Seabiscuit.
The Mondales will be joined by Winifred Groux, USPS San Francisco District Manager, and a San Francisco Bay Area woman who met and petted Seabiscuit in the winner’s circle.
Hosted by the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation in cooperation with the US Postal Service, the special, by-invitation-only ceremony will take place at the horse’s historic home and final resting place at Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, Calif.
Willits postmaster Dale Briggs will affix a special first day of sale postmark on the envelopes, which also will be available at the Willits Post Office.
Champs Lil’Biscuit, a Seabiscuit descendant, will be on hand to apply her personal “stamp of approval,” and the Mondales will mail a stamped envelope to Pimlico, Md. for it to be showcased at the racetrack’s annual Alibi breakfast for Preakness Stakes (gr. I) jockeys, trainers, owners, and media May 14.
The stamped envelope commemorates Seabiscuit’s memorable win at Pimlico in 1938 against Triple Crown winner War Admiral, whom the stamp also features. The race drew 40,000 spectators and was broadcast by radio to President Franklin Roosevelt and 40 million other listeners across the country.
Nearly two years ago, the Mondales paid homage to Seabiscuit when a classic, life-sized bronze sculpture of the horse was returned, unveiled, and formally dedicated at Ridgewood Ranch.
Mondale and the other Stamp Advisory Committee members recommended the stamp as a tribute to Seabiscuit’s legendary feats.