In 1997, the United States Postal Service issued its first stamp celebrating America's favorite wise-cracking, carrot eating cartoon character, Bugs Bunny. The iconic animated cartoon character that originated in the 1930's has been one of the most popular and recognizable personalities of the Looney Tunes cartoon series.

Earlier Loony Tune character stamps featured each individual in their most familiar poses.  The newest issue celebrates Bugs Bunny and the marvelous masquerades he has employed to foil foes over the course of his 80-year career. The sheet of 20 stamps features Bugs in 10 classic costumes. Original stamp artwork is based on iconic moments of Bugs Bunny’s career.

On the first row of stamps Bugs appears as a barber with white smock and pointy scissors; achieves “airness” on the brink of a slam-dunk in his basketball jersey; is debonair in beret, ascot, smoking jacket, and shades as a screen idol in his Hollywood digs; jokes it up as a jester in bright green garb and fool’s cap; and does a diva turn as an operatic Brunhilde in blonde braids and winged helmet. On the second row of stamps, Bugs is a mermaid in a curly 1940s up-do; is classically composed in white tie and tails at the piano; heroically poses as the carrot-powered Super-Rabbit with blue suit and red cape; warms up to pitch a big-league ballgame; and helps save the planet as a World War II U.S. Army staff sergeant in combat uniform with an American-flag backdrop. 

The Oscar-winning rabbit has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. created original stamp artwork especially for this issuance featuring work from Warner Bros. Animation artists, who also created the selvage artwork and verso sketches. Greg Breeding was the designer, and William J. Gicker served as art director.