WASHINGTON(AP) - Thirty years ago, in theaters near and far, far away, a movie opened theimaginations of millions, combining the magic of mythology and special effectsto launch the "Star Wars''phenomenon.
A star of those films - thebravelittle robot R2-D2 - is about to take a turn collecting mail as the PostalService and Lucasfilm Ltd. commemoratethat movie launch [image].
The post office is wrappingmail collection boxes in some 200 cities nationwide in a special covering tolook like R2-D2.
It's part of a promotionfor a new stamp to be announced March 28, said Anita T. Bizzotto, the postoffice's chief marketing officer.
"It's a little teaser forthe upcoming announcement and we decided to have a little fun with it,'' shesaid.
About 400 mailboxes will becovered to look like the stout droid. "When you look at a mailbox, theresemblance to R2-D2 is too good to pass up,'' Bizzotto said.
While postal officialswould like people to look for these mailboxes and maybe even drop in a letter,Bizzotto urged people not to tamper with them, noting that's a crime.
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