The Stamp Collectors Corner

Irving Berlin is by far the greatest composer of American music.  Born on May 11, 1888 as Israel Beilin in Russia, his family escaped religious persecution and immigrated to the United States when he was five years old.   He later changed his name to Irving Berlin. 

The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp on September 15, 2002 that paid tribute to Irving Berlin.  The stamp showcases one of his many song creations, “God Bless America” in script writing across the top.

Funny enough, Berlin had no official musical training.  He made his musical debut as a singing waiter in saloons.  He taught himself how to play the piano and by the age of 20, was hired as a lyricist.  His first major hit “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” came in 1911.  The song, and subsequent dance craze that followed, became an overnight hit not only in America and Russia, but around the world as well.  Over his lifetime, Berlin is credited with writing over 1,500 songs, scores for 18 Hollywood films and 19 Broadway shows.

God Bless America was originally written in 1918 for a WWI patriotic show when Berlin was in the Army.  Berlin had convinced his superior officers that he could best serve his country by producing a musical for the military.  At that time, many composers were writing patriotic songs in support of the war efforts.  Berlin was not happy with the solemn “God Bless America” once it was done and decided that it would not be part of the show he was creating so it was set aside to quite some time.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion to this post.