An American Original

Charles W. Chesnutt Joins Black Heritage Stamp Series

FORT WORTH, TX — Charles Waddell Chesnutt was immortalized on a stamp in the popular Black Heritage commemorative stamp series issued by the U.S. Postal Service, on January 31, 2008.  He is considered the first African- American writer to receive major acclaim. He made an important breakthrough when his short story, “The Goophered Grapevine,” appeared in the August 1887 issue of Atlantic Monthly.

Chesnutt, a distinguished writer recognized as a major innovator and singular voice among turn-of-the-century literary realists, will become the 31st person inducted into the series.

The Fort Worth Post Office will continue honoring him with a 2nd Day Unveiling and reception at the National Cowboy of Color Museum, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2008. The event is opened to the public.

“Charles Chesnutt was an American original, a gifted writer and social activist whose candid discussions of race in America helped set the stage for the successful civil rights movement of the 20th century,” said acting Fort Worth Postmaster Mike Holder.

Chesnutt made an important literary contribution when he was published in the Atlantic Monthly. He was one of a few African-American writers to have been published in a major literary magazine at that time.

Chesnutt was born in Cleveland, June 20, 1858, and grew up in Fayetteville, NC. He died in his hometown in 1932. Scholars describe Chesnutt not as a household name but note that, in recent years, his work has attracted growing interest.

The Postal Service began issuing its popular Black Heritage stamp series in 1978 with a stamp honoring Harriet Tubman. Chesnutt joins a long list of legendary African-American leaders, inventors, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, entertainers and athletes, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Langston Hughes, Ella Fitzgerald and Jackie Robinson.

Art director Howard Paine wanted a stamp that emphasized Chesnutt’s intelligence and dignity. The portrait painted by stamp artist Kazuhiko Sano was based on a 1908 photograph from the collection of Fisk University’s Franklin Library.

The Charles W. Chesnutt stamp sheet is available for purchase in Post Offices, on usps.com and by calling 800-STAMP-24 starting Thursday, Jan. 31.