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Freedom Just Around the Corner

Black America from Civil War to Civil Rights

Black Heritage Stamp Series Legacies

Due in part to the success of the Black Heritage series, since the 1980s there has been a substantial increase in the number of African American subjects included in other long-running series.

22¢ Robert E. Peary and Matthew Henson approved stamp art by Dennis Lyall, c. 1986

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Arctic Explorers Series

A former sharecropper from Maryland, Matthew Henson participated as a navigator and translator in six expeditions to the North Pole.

Loan from the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General's Collection

22¢ Duke Ellington approved stamp art by Jim Sharpe, c. 1986

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Performing Arts Series

The most prolific jazz composer ever, Edward ‘Duke’ Ellington and his orchestra toured the U.S. for nearly fifty years and also popularized the genre in Europe.

Loan from the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General's Collection

29¢ Nat ‘King’ Cole approved stamp art by C. F. Payne, c. 1994

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Legends of American Music Series

Known for his melodic baritone voice, Cole was the first African American entertainer to have his own television variety show.

Loan from the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General's Collection

37¢ Zora Neale Hurston approved stamp art by Drew Struzan, c. 2003

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Literary Arts Series

A noted folklorist, novelist and anthropologist, Hurston is best known for her 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Loan from the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General's Collection

23¢ Wilma Rudolph approved stamp art by Mark Summers, c. 2004

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Distinguished Americans Series

Rudolph won three gold medals in track at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, despite having contracted infantile paralysis (polio) at the age of four.

Loan from the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General's Collection

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