Federer to get a good licking

That is, as a one-franc postage stamp issued by the Swiss post, the first time a living person is depicted on a Swiss postage stamp. Hey, that's yet another first for our record-breaking champ! The stamp, bearing a photo of the Roger Federer holding up the Wimbledon winner's trophy when he won title for the fourth straight year--very appropriate, considering how the Swiss tennis superstar highly regards the prestigious Grand Slam event--was unveiled in Basel with Roger, accompanied by his proud parents and girlfriend, in attendance:

It's a great honour for me; I compare it to winning a Grand Slam such as Wimbledon. It's a big moment in my life.

Since Switzerland traditionally puts historical figures only on its stamps, the head of Swiss post, Ulrich Gygi, explained how they made an exception for Federer:

Up to now you had to do something big and then die before appearing on a stamp; we made an exception as Roger is truly exceptional. ... His personality, his charisma, his modesty and his influence are worth taking some liberties with customs going back to the 19th century. ... If you can come up with any Swiss personality who can equal Roger Federer's prestige, in any domain, I'm ready to follow you.

The brand new stamp can be purchased at all Swiss post offices, philatelic salepoints and online.

Now, this is one item--make that a dozen of these--that is definitely going onto my wish list along with the Feder-bear!