Opera Contralto Singer Marian Anderson Honored With U.S. Postage Stamp

Opera Contralto Singer Marian Anderson Honored With U.S. Postage Stamp

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary operatic star Marian Anderson was honored today when the U.S. Postal Service issued a new commemorative postage stamp recognizing her life and accomplishments. Symbolically, the first-day-of-issue ceremony took place at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall, Washington, DC, the venue where she was once prohibited from performing because of her skin color.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041105/DCF007-c )

The stamp art shows an oil painting of Anderson by Albert Slark of Ajax, Ontario, Canada, based on a black-and-white photograph believed to have been made by Moise Benkow in Stockholm, circa 1934. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Ariz. is art director and designer of the stamp.

"With the 28th stamp in the Black Heritage Series, we are honoring Anderson's exceptional musical accomplishments, her life, and her graceful fight for equality," said Deputy Postmaster General John M. Nolan, who dedicated the stamp. "The stamp is a powerful reminder of her unprecedented contribution to music and to her great sacrifice for justice."

Joining Nolan for the stamp dedication ceremony were Washington ABC 7, WJLA TV & News Channel 8 Anchorwoman/Reporter Angela Russell, who served as MC; President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Presley Merritt Wagoner; International mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves; musicologist and author of the biography, Marian Anderson: A Singer's Journey, Allan Keiler; Anderson's nephew & director of conducting and orchestral studies at The Juilliard School, James DePriest; and performers from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Renowned sopranos Kathleen Battle, Brenda Jackson and Matti Wilda, Finland Ambassador Jukka and Mrs. Valtasaari, artist/illustrator Albert Slark of Ajax, Ontario, Canada, and Vice Provost & Director of Libraries, University of Pennsylvania, H. Carton Rogers, III were among the many guests.

"The Daughters of the American Revolution are proud to participate in celebrating such an inspirational woman with the issuance of this Marian Anderson commemorative stamp," said Wagoner.

A gifted vocalist, Anderson was one of the greatest classically trained singers of the 20th century and an important figure in the struggle of black Americans for racial equality. Singing a varied repertoire in her rich contralto, Anderson opened doors for other black artists.

"I know of no one more deserving of this special honor than my aunt Marian," said nephew James DePreist. "Her voice, her courageous life and her unshatterable dignity inspire us to this day. Marian Anderson was one of God's most wonderful gifts to the world."

Anderson was born February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, PA. She started singing early in life and at the age of six, joined the family's church choir. Recognizing her talent and her need to study with professional teachers, members of her community took it upon themselves to raise the funds for her musical training.

Anderson once said, "The faith and confidence of others in me have been like shining, guiding stars."

Anderson died on April 8, 1993, in Portland, OR, where she had moved to be with her nephew.

Anderson's personal papers -- including letters, music scores, programs, photographs and sound recordings are housed in the Annenberg Rare Book & Manuscript Library at the University of Pennsylvania. Visit the collections at: http://www.library.upenn.edu/collections/rbm/photos/manderson.html.

To see the Marian Anderson stamp and other images from the 2005 Commemorative Stamp Program, visit the Postal Store at http://www.usps.com/shop and click on "Release Schedule" in the Collector's Corner.

Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by toll-free phone order at 800-STAMP-24. A wide selection of stamps and other philatelic items is also available at the Postal Store at http://www.usps.com/shop. Beautifully framed prints of original stamp art for delivery straight to the home or office are available at http://www.postalartgallery.com/.

Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service makes deliveries to more than 142 million addresses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of $69 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. Moreover, today's postage rates will remain stable until at least 2006. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 206 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041105/DCF007-c
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Postal Service

CONTACT: Frances Frazier, +1-202-268-2898, cell: +1-202-285-6374,
mfrances.frazier@usps.gov, or Deborah Yackley, +1-301-548-1465,
Cell: +1-410-963-8426, deborah.a.yackley@usps.gov, both of the U.S. Postal
Service; or Bren Landon of the Daughters of the American Revolution,
+1-202-572-0563, blandon@dar.org

Web site: http://www.usps.com/


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