The U.S Postal Service is continuing their Black Heritage series by honoring renowned author Ernest J. Gaines with a postal stamp. The ceremony will take place today at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he once taught creative writing.
USPS Spokesperson David Walton says Gaines was an advocate and vital voice to the African American experience.
“He added a vital voice to African American literature, and he brought worldwide attention to generations of men and women who have served with their own dignity in the face of racial oppression and violence,” said Walton.
The U.S Postal Service receives about 30,000 stamp suggestions from the public on individuals with a strong background in history.
Gaines is best known for his novels “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “A Lesson Before Dying,”
Walton says they are thrilled to celebrate Gaines as the 46th stamp in the Black Heritage Series.
“We have a line up of guest who will be speaking, I know that Mr. Gaines wife will also be in attendance, were going to have quite a few people on hand to witness this unavailing so a lot of excitement in the air,” said Walton.
The Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage stamp will be a forever stamp that holds the same value as the current First- Class Mail stamp. Walton says philatelists will have something new to add to their collection.
“Stamp collecting ranks amongst the worlds most popular hobby and every year the postal service, we receive about 30 thousand suggestions for stamps and out of those roughly about 25 to 30 topics are chosen,” said Walton.
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