It’s official: in 2012 the U.S. Postal Service will issue two new Forever® stamps honoring two of the world’s greatest musicians—Edith Piaf and Miles Davis.

With these stamps, USPS celebrates a lively two-way conversation between nations. Edith Piaf (1915–1963) is one of few French popular singers to become a household name in the U.S.; the great American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis (1926–1991) is beloved in France, where he performed frequently.

Davis epitomized “cool” style and was one of the most important musicians of his era. The stamp art depicts him in a kinetic performance pose, suggesting his extraordinary, charismatic intensity. Piaf is best known for her song “La Vie en Rose” (“Life in Pink”), which can still be heard on the streets of Paris today. In the stamp art, she’s shown wearing her signature black dress and using the expressive hand movements that marked her performances.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps using an undated, black-and-white photo of Piaf from the Michael Ochs archives and a black-and-white photo of Davis, from 1970, by David Gahr.

The stamps are scheduled for issuance in June. We can’t wait!

Name, image and likeness of Miles Davis with permission from Miles Davis Properties, LLC.