Edgar Allan Poe to be Immortalized on Stamp

What:

Edgar Allan Poe First-Day-of-Issue stamp dedication ceremony.

Who:

Edgar Allan Poe’s Cousin Dr. Harry Lee Poe
Edgar Allan Poe Stamp Artist Michael J. Deas
National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia
U.S. Postal Service Board of Governor member Katherine C. Tobin

When:

Friday., Jan. 16, 11 a.m.

Where:

The Library of Virginia Lecture Hall
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA

Background:

Great Interview Opportunities:

• Harry Lee Poe’s great great grandfather was Edgar Allan Poe’s uncle. Poe will provide little-known insight on his cousin and highlight his scientific achievements such as being the originator of the “Big Bang” theory.
• Virginia native Michael J. Deas is revered as one of the premier portrait artists in the nation. He is also considered by many to be the leading authority on Poe and in 1989, published The Portraits and Daguerreotypes of Edgar Allen Poe, a comprehensive collection of images featuring authentic likenesses as well as derivative portraits. A sampling of his work for the Postal Service includes stamps honoring: Cary Grant, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and Bette Davis. Perhaps his best-known work is his luminous redesign of the Columbia Pictures logo, one of the most widely seen images in cinematic history. His artwork has four times appeared on the cover of Time magazine, as well as on dozens of book covers.

The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee receives and reviews suggestions from more than 50,000 people each year for stamp subjects. It reviews all suggestions using a specific set of criteria and selects subjects for recommendation to the Postmaster General. He in turn selects about 25 to 30 new subjects for commemorative stamps. U.S. postage stamps reflect the American experience, and inspiring subjects and designs continue to bring history to life.

For a high-resolution image of the stamp, please contact Cathy Boule’ (cathy.a.boule@usps.gov).