Updated April 9th: Photos and information from the first-day ceremony can be found here.
Updated April 7th: Oops! The quote on the Maya Angelou stamp didn’t originate with Angelou, but with children’s book author Joan Walsh Anglund, reports The Washington Post. It’s in a book of poems published in 1967. The USPS isn’t the only one attributing the quote to Angelou: President Obama did, too. But the 89-year-old author wishes the stamp much success. Read more in the Post article.
Later in the day, Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said the quotation was included because it’s something Angelou often referenced.
“Maya Angelou cited this sentence frequently in media interviews and other forums and it provides a connection to her first memoir `I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,'” he said. “The sentence was chosen to accompany her image on the stamp to reflect her passion for the written and spoken word. The sentence held great meaning for her and she is publicly identified with its popularity.”
There were no references to the quote controversy during the first day ceremony.
Updated April 1st (2 items):
[USPS press release]
Maya Angelou Stamp Dedication to Feature Postmaster General, Oprah Winfrey, Ambassador Andrew Young and other Notables
RSVPs Now Accepted for April 7 Ceremony
WASHINGTON — The public has an opportunity to witness a historic event on Tuesday, April 7 when Postmaster General Megan Brennan will be joined by Oprah Winfrey, Ambassador Andrew Young and other notables in dedicating the Maya Angelou Forever stamp in Washington, DC.
The 11 a.m. first-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony will take place at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St., NW. The event is free and open to the public. The public is asked to RSVP as soon as possible as seating is not guaranteed. Please RSVP at usps.com/mayaforever or by calling 866-268-3243 before 5 p.m. ET April 3. Each RSVP is limited to two (2) seats. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Angelou fans are encouraged to share the news on social media using #MayaForever. The Maya Angelou Forever stamps may be pre-ordered now at this link for delivery shortly after April 7.
Also attending the ceremony will be Angelou’s grandson Colin Johnson; Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL); poet Sonia Sanchez; author and journalist Sophia Nelson; Howard University English professor Eleanor Traylor; poet and civil rights activist Nikki Giovanni; civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton; and Atlanta-based artist Ross Rossin, whose portrait of Angelou was used for the stamp. The backstory on the portrait and the connection to Young and Winfrey can be found here. Melissa Harris-Perry will serve as master of ceremonies.
As an author, poet, actress, and champion of civil rights, Angelou (1928–2014) was one of the most dynamic voices in 20th-century American literature. The book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” an autobiographical account of her childhood, gained wide acclaim for its vivid depiction of African-American life in the South.
The stamp showcases Rossin’s 2013 4ft. by 4ft. oil-on-canvas portrait of Angelou. The large hyper-realistic painting is part of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s collection, where it will be on display through Nov. 1. The stamp features this quotation by the pioneering author: “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
The stamp pane includes a short excerpt from Angelou’s book, “Letter to My Daughter.” It reads: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Art director Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, designed the stamp.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
[press release]
US POSTAL SERVICE COMMEMORATES DR. MAYA ANGELOU’S 84th BIRTHDAY
WITH SPECIAL FOREVER STAMP AND DEDICATION CEREMONY, APRIL 7th
DR. ANGELOU’S “HUMAN FAMILY” LYRIC MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERES
FRIDAY, APRIL 3RD, 2015, ON YAHOO.COM
“HUMAN FAMILY” IS A RECORDING FROM “CAGED BIRD SONGS” ALBUM PRODUCED BY ROCCSTAR AND SHAWN RIVERA
March 31, 2015 – New York, NY – The incomparable Dr. Maya Angelou would be turning 84 years old on Saturday, April 4th, 2015 and she’ll be recognized in a big way. To celebrate the incredible life and accomplishments of this remarkable woman, The United States Postal Service will release a commemorative forever stamp on April 7th. The postal service will celebrate with a First-Day-of-Issue stamp dedication ceremony at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 7th, at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.
The celebration continues as “Human Family,” the next focus track from Dr. Maya Angelou’s inspiring and timely “Caged Bird Songs” CD embodying many of her most significant writings, is set for a Lyric music video premiere on Friday, April 3rd, on Yahoo Music. “Human Family,” like many of Dr. Angelou’s poems, shares an important social message about acceptance and equality.
Dr. Angelou, the iconic American writer, poet, actor, dancer, director, composer, lecturer, civil activist and one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time, worked on the “Caged Bird Songs” album prior to her death on May 28th, 2014. The album produced by RoccStar and Shawn Rivera of platinum recording artist, Az Yet, is a unique musical collaboration that thoughtfully blends the gifted poet’s words and vocal performances with modern hip-hop beats. The lyrical content, underlying social context, rhythm, melody and cadence of Dr. Angelou’s early work bears a striking resemblance to the sound of current hip-hop and is, unfortunately, still relevant to today’s urban experience.
The official music video for the first single, “Harlem Hopscotch,” was directed by Emmy Award-winning duo Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo, also known as Nappy Tabs, and best known for their work on the hit television series, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, and features the pair’s signature choreography. “Harlem Hopscotch” was shot on the streets of Harlem and various spots in Los Angeles and includes notable performers and dancers Nia Peeples, Derek Hough, Alfonso Ribeiro, Zendaya, Ian Eastwood, Quest Crew and dancers from both ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’. The video is produced by Smooch Music and is distributed by OWN.
To Watch the “Harlem Hopscotch” Music Video:
Oprah.com
YouTube/ OWN TV
Colin Johnson, Dr. Angelou’s grandson, recalls how music was a large part of his grandmother’s life. “She loved everything from pop to country and of course hip-hop. With her dedication to social activism and her ability to illuminate the struggles and injustices of the urban experience through prose, there is a direct correlation to hip-hop today. She was really excited about her street-wise commentary being presented in this way.”
Updated March 20th, from the Postal Bulletin:
On April 7, 2015, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Maya Angelou First-Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 49 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 12 stamps (Item 472600).
The stamp will go on sale nationwide April 7, 2015.
With this new commemorative stamp, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the life of Dr. Maya Angelou (1928–2014), author, poet, actress, champion of civil rights, and one of the most dynamic voices in all of 20th century American literature. The stamp art features artist Ross Rossin’s 2013 portrait of Dr. Angelou. The oil-on-canvas painting is part of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s collection. The stamp also features this quotation by the pioneering author: “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” The stamp pane includes a short excerpt from Dr. Angelou’s book Letter to My Daughter. It reads: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
Maya Angelou Stamp
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers have to pay five cents each. All orders must be postmarked by June 7, 2015.
There are nine philatelic products for this stamp issue:
- 472606, Press Sheet with Die cut, $47.04, (print quantity 500).
- 472608, Press Sheet without Die cut, $47.04, (print quantity 1,000).
- 472610 Keepsake with Digital Color Postmark, $7.95.
- 472616 First-Day Cover, $0.93.
- 472624 Framed Art, $39.95.
- 472621 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
- 472630 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
- 472631 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
- 472632 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Post¬mark, $1.99.
Technical Specifications:
Issue: Maya Angelou Stamp
Item Number: 472600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 12 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 7, 2015, Washington, DC 20066
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Art: Ross Rossin
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 12
Print Quantity: 80,000,004 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS Cool Gray 8 PMS 1788
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in./36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in./39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.00 x 6.25 in./152.40 x 158.75 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 12.00 x 25.00 in./ 304.80 x 635.00 mm
Plate Size: 96 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by Six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (472600) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text • Maya Angelou Bio
Updated March 4th: The USPS has released the image and said the stamp will be issued April 7th with a ceremony in Washington, DC. The first-day postmarks are further down this page.
[press release]
Postal Service Previews Maya Angelou Stamp Image
Forever Stamp Image is a Painting Resembling a PhotographWASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service previewed the Dr. Maya Angelou Forever Stamp image today and announced that the First-Day-of-Issue stamp dedication ceremony will take place at 11 a.m.,
Tue., April 7, at the Warner Theater in
Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. The stamps may be pre-ordered now
at this link for delivery shortly after April 7.
As an author, poet, actress, and champion of civil rights, Angelou (1928–2014) was one of the most dynamic voices in 20th-century American literature. The book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” an autobiographical account of her childhood, gained wide acclaim for its vivid depiction of African-American life in the South.
The stamp showcases Atlanta-based artist Ross Rossin’s 2013 48” x 48” oil-on-canvas portrait of Angelou. The large hyper-realistic painting is part of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s collection, where it will be on display through Nov. 1. The stamp features this quotation by the pioneering author: “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
The stamp pane includes a short excerpt from Angelou’s book, “Letter to My Daughter.” It reads: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Art director Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, designed the stamp. Customers are encouraged to use social media to spread the news about the stamp using #MayaForever.
Rossin’s Unique Style
“Like an x-ray,” explained Rossin, “my brush searches beyond the façade, reaching the God particle, the spiritual soul that embodies us all. I see all the subjects of my paintings as humans. All I want to do is paint the truth. My paintings don’t look like photographs; photographs look like my paintings. The objective of my art is to transcend hyperrealism. It is nothing else but a language that ensures the connectivity between the viewer, creator and the subject of my paintings. My ultimate goal is to bring the invisible energy through to this visible medium.”
The Andrew Young and Oprah Winfrey Connection to Creating Angelou’s Portrait
“I always wanted to paint Maya as she was a voice that inspired millions — not just as an individual, but as a legendary poet and a civil rights icon who transcended generations,” Rossin added. “I was compelled by the challenge to portray her forgiving smile and her aura of unconditional love and understanding that comes across when having a conversation with her.”
Rossin is a good friend of Ambassador Andrew Young, having forged a close personal relationship with the artist since rendering a portrait of Young several years ago, which also hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
Knowing that Angelou’s birthday was coming up, he felt the urge to introduce Rossin to her in 2013.
“I applaud the U.S. Postal Service for their decision to honor my beloved friend Maya with a Forever stamp, and for using Rossin’s portrait of her for this perennial image,” said Young. “He is a master portrait artist — a prodigy. It is an honor to be immortalized by his brush stroke.”
“During my visit to her Winston-Salem, NC, home I spoke with Maya for several hours about her life journey and courage of finding the light in the midst of her darkness. It is her energy, the God Particle which struck me. Later that evening, Oprah Winfrey hosted a birthday party for Angelou. This was the critical moment when I saw Maya through the eyes of others. My personal experience around Maya’s aura led to the creation of an intimate yet universal painting, which later Maya enthusiastically approved.”
“This is exactly how I see myself and exactly how I wish to be remembered,” Rossin recalled of Angelou’s reaction to his work.
“I wanted to capture her laughter, her cry and the forgiveness and blessings that came from her face,” he added. “It is not only her portrait that is bigger than life. It is she herself who is bigger than life. The portrait is evidence of her magic.”
Added March 8th: Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: 
[press release on February 23, 2015]
Maya Angelou to be Honored with Forever Stamp
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service will honor Maya Angelou — the beloved author, poet, actress and champion of equality — with a Forever Stamp.
“Maya Angelou inspired our nation through a life of advocacy and through her many contributions to the written and spoken word,” said Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan. “Her wide-ranging achievements as a playwright, poet, memoirist, educator, and advocate for justice and equality enhanced our culture.”
The Postal Service will preview the stamp and provide details on the date and location of the first-day-of-issuance ceremony at a later date.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
-0-
Angelou died May 28, 2014. If this stamp is issued in 2015, it will be the soonest after death the USPS has issued a stamp in decades. Her estate is Caged Bird Legacy.
Official White House Photo: President Barack Obama awards the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Maya Angelou in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House February 15, 2011.
-0-
February 26th: There are so many unanswered questions about this issue, and not just when it will be issued or what it will look like. That will be the subject of this weekend’s radio feature, but there’s only so much I can stuff into 60 to 90 seconds.
The announcement got plenty of press, and many Twitter and other social media reactions, all positive.
I haven’t figure out, though, who was the driving force behind this stamp. (Of course, it’s possible that it was a decision involving many people, within the Postal Service and on its Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). But it has the cachet of an outside driving force. (Yes, pun intended.)
There was an online petition, started within a few days of Angelou’s death, and much talk on Twitter in support of it. The petition got 65,000 signatures, but it wasn’t on a major site like Change.org, but on WeAreUltraviolet.org.
A resolution calling for a Maya Angelou stamp was introduced in the House in mid-January, by Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Columbus, Ohio. It was sent to Committee and nothing happened. It’s moot now.
Linn’s Stamp News points out that E. Ethelbert Miller of the African American Resource Center at Howard University worked to get Ghana (or the Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corp.) to issue a Maya Angelou stamp in 1998 as part of a 12-stamp set. However, there is nothing at all on his or the Center’s websites about the U.S. stamp.
Someone suggested that CSAC member Henry Louis Gates, Jr., might be the driving force. Again, nothing on his Harvard faculty page, Twitter account or Facebook page about the stamp.
How about Postmaster General Megan Brennan? The stamp was announced three weeks after she took office. A career postal worker, she is the first woman to serve as PMG. But there is nothing in her public curriculum vitae to suggest a special interest in Maya Angelou.
So far, I don’t have a solution to this mystery.
From the April 2nd Postal Bulletin:
