The Power of the Stamp: Exploring Representations of African Americans on United States Postage Stamps

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine changes in visual representations of African Americans in postal imagery from 1940 to 2012. The research also aims to determine if postal imagery reflected notions of citizenship and therefore helped to forge a legitimate place for African Americans within the national self-image of the United States. Because postage stamps are Government endorsed, they can broker cultural values through the chosen image. This thesis explores and asks how did African Americans gain entry into stamp representation, become celebrated for their achievements, and finally become normalised; and, a legitimate part of American society. In particular, this thesis provides a contextual discussion of the stamp as cultural icon, through its history, function and agency. Because stamps are highly visible they are a subtle way through which to explore and identify exclusion and thus gradual inclusion of African Americans. African Americans slowly emerged on stamps with the first woman displayed on Black Heritage in 1978. This thesis discusses how Black Heritage came about, who was portrayed and how it provides a microcosm of changing art mores for portraits covering thirty-five years. In the Art of the Stamp, shifts in technology and design not only paralleled the Civil Rights Movement, but boundaries moved for African American artists, whose contemporary works became stamps in: To Form A More Perfect Union. While into the 1990s, an extensive Legends of American Music Series embraced African Americans along with White legends of contemporary music, sharing the stage together. Findings show that postal imagery of African Americans slowly increased following the introduction of Black Heritage. However, not until the 1990s, did the USPS begin a more rigorous approach to include minorities into its postal programme. As a government agency, the United States Postal Service began to recognise societal changes, issuing an array of stamp series that include images of African Americans. This thesis is a philatelic study contributing further knowledge to an aspect of African American culture and history.