Showing posts with label stamps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stamps. Show all posts

Sunday, January 07, 2024

2024 USPS Black Heritage stamp series to honor Constance Baker Motley

The 47th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005), the first African American woman known to have argued a case before the United States Supreme Court and the first to serve as a federal judge. The stamp features a portrait of Motley created by Charly Palmer. The stenciled circular shapes create a subtle crowning effect, and the heavy brushstrokes and scratches add texture to the acrylic-on-canvas work. Stenciled curlicues embellish the lower background and continue onto Motley’s black dress. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

Constance Baker Motley started her career in 1945 when she began working for the future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

From 1945 to 1965, Motley worked on about 60 cases that reached the Supreme Court. She won nine of the 10 cases she argued before the Court.

In 1966, Motley was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York — the largest and busiest federal trial court in the country. She rose to chief judge in 1982 and senior judge in 1986.

The stamp features a portrait of Motley by artist Charly Palmer, based on an Associated Press photograph. Rendered in acrylic on canvas work, the portrait displays elements of Palmer’s signature style. The stenciled circular shapes around the head suggest royalty, and the heavy brushstrokes and scratches provide added textures. Stenciled curlicues embellish the lower background and continue onto Motley’s black dress. Her colorful corsage and a brooch further enliven the image.

The Constance Baker Motley stamp will be issued in panes of 20. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

The Constance Baker Motley Stamp can be purchashed here at USPS.cpm https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/constance-baker-motley-stamps-S_484404

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Rep. John Lewis to be honored with postage stamp in 2023

The U.S. Postal Service has announced that the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis will be honored with a postage stamp in 2023.

This stamp celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (1940-2020) of Georgia. Devoted to equality and justice for all Americans, Lewis spent more than 30 years in Congress steadfastly defending and building on key civil rights gains that he had helped achieve in the 1960s. Even in the face of hatred and violence, as well as some 45 arrests, Lewis remained resolute in his commitment to what he liked to call “good trouble.” The stamp features a photograph of Lewis taken by Marco Grob on assignment for the Aug. 26, 2013, issue of Time magazine. The selvage showcases a photograph of Lewis taken by Steve Schapiro in 1963 outside a workshop about nonviolent protest in Clarksdale, MS. Derry Noyes served as art director for this project.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Gwen Ifill to be honored with 2020 Black Heritage Series Stamp by USPS

In 2020 the U.S. Postal Service will honor the late PBS NewsHour anchor Gwen Ifill with a commemorative Forever stamp.

The 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Gwen Ifill (1955–2016), one of America’s most esteemed journalists. Ifill, who died in November 2016 after battling cancer, became the first African American woman to host a national political TV talk show with her 1999 host-debut on PBS' Washington Week.

The stamp features a photo of Ifill taken in 2008 by photographer Robert Severi. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Marvin Gaye, Gregory Hines honored with 2019 USPS stamps

CHECK OUT THE 2021 BLACK HERITAGE STAMP HONORING AUGUST WILSON HERE: https://www.africanamericanreports.com/2021/07/2021-black-heritage-stamps-honor-august.html

Entertainment icons Marvin Gaye and Gregory Hines will soon be honored with Forever stamps, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced this week.

The late legends will be featured among new commemorative stamps issued in 2019, continuing a USPS tradition started in 1847 of celebrating people, events, and cultural milestones that are unique to U.S. history. Exact release dates for the stamps have yet to be announced.

“The miniature works of art illustrated in the 2019 stamp program offer something for everyone’s interest about American history and culture,” said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Executive Director Mary-Anne Penner.

“From legendary poet Walt Whitman to the entertainment genius of Gregory Hines to the majestic beauty of our Wild and Scenic Rivers, this program is diverse and wide-ranging and tells America’s story on stamps.”

The 42nd stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Hines (1946–2003), whose unique style of tap dancing injected new artistry and excitement into a traditional American form.

A versatile performer who danced, acted and sang on Broadway, on television, and in movies like Tap, Waiting to Exhale and White Knights, Hines developed the entertainment traditions of tap into an art form for a younger generation. He is credited with renewing interest in tap during the 1990s. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp, which features a 1988 photograph by Jack Mitchell.

Gaye’s stamp is featured in the Music Icons series. The R&B crooner — best known for songs “What’s Going On,” “Let’s Get It On,” “Sexual Healing” and a slew of early Motown songs like “Heard It Through the Grapevine” — is one of the most influential singers of his generation. The stamp design features a portrait of Gaye inspired by historic photographs.

The stamp pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps, brief text about Gaye’s legacy, and the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out the top of the sleeve. Another portrait of Gaye, also inspired by historic photographs, appears on the reverse along with the Music Icons series logo. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp pane with original art by Kadir Nelson.

Customers may purchase stamps through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at a local post office.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

The National Museum Of African American History And Culture Is Getting Its Own Stamp

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will finally make its stamp debut next month after its issuance date was initially postponed by the US Postal Services.

The “Celebrating African American History and Culture Forever stamp” recognizes the richness of black history and its intrinsic connection to American history. It is also part of the US Postal Services Forever series and will go on sale Oct. 13 after a dedication ceremony at the actual museum.

“Black history is inseparable from American history, and the black experience represents a profound and unique strand of the American story,” USPS said. “This stamp issuance recognizes the richness of that experience by celebrating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.”

[SOURCE: ESSENCE]

Friday, December 02, 2016

Civil Rights Icon Dorothy Height to Be Honored With U.S. Postage Stamp

The Postal Service today announced more subjects that will be featured on Forever stamps in the new year. One of those people honored will be civil rights icon Dorothy Height.

Dorothy Height (Black Heritage series)

The 40th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Dorothy Height (1912-2010), the tireless activist who dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality. Although she rarely gained the recognition granted her male contemporaries, she became one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century. The stamp features artist Thomas Blackshear II’s gouache and acrylics on board portrait of Height. The painting is based on a 2009 photograph shot by Lateef Mangum. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Stamp to be released in honor of opening of National Museum of African American History and Culture

The United States Postal Service has revealed designs for several U.S. stamps that will be issued in 2017. One of those stamps will commemorate the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Celebrations for the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture were underway as news of this planned forever stamp was revealed. The museum, on the National Mall, opened to the public with a dedication ceremony on the morning of Sept. 24

Established by an Act of Congress in 2003, the museum is described as the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African-American life, history, and culture.

“The National Museum of African American History and Culture will be a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives and how it helped us shape this nation,” the museum notes.

The stamp is based on a photograph of the museum by Alan Karchmer showing a view of the northwest corner of the building. USPS art director Antonio Alcala designed the stamp.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Petition: Issue a Commemorative Stamp picturing the NBA Pioneer Earl F. Lloyd

An effort is under way to put Earl F. Lloyd, the NBA's first African-American player, on a U.S. stamp.

The Earl F. Lloyd Foundation started a Change.org petition on Aug. 25 to bring attention to the cause, which was launched about six months after Lloyd died on Feb. 26, 2015.

The petition reads as follows:

On October 31, 1950, Earl Francis Lloyd became the first African-American to play in a NBA basketball game. In 1955 Mr. Lloyd would become the first African-American to win a NBA World Championship. Earl Lloyd would later become the first NBA scout and assistant coach in 1960; and then the first full time NBA bench coach in 1972 with The Detroit Pistons. Earl Lloyd's groundbreaking achievements helped to pave the way for people of color and all minorities, not only in the world of sports but in all aspects of American life!

We are requesting the United States Postal Service, Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a Commemorative Stamp in honor of the late great Earl Francis Lloyd.

The petitioners are looking to get 500 signatures. At the time of this posting there are 352 signatures, I think we can do a lot better than 500 signatures. Click here to support the cause: U.S. Postal Service: Issue a Commemorative Stamp picturing the NBA Pioneer Earl F. Lloyd