USPS Charles W. Chesnutt Black Heritage Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service honored author Charles W. Chesnutt with the 31st collectible postage stamp in its popular Black Heritage commemorative stamps series
On 31 January, 2008, the U.S. Postal Service added another collectible postage stamp to its Black Heritage commemorative stamps series with their dedication of the 41-cent Charles W. Chesnutt stamp. Chesnutt, a noted African-American author, appears on the 31st stamp in the popular Black Heritage stamp series.
The Life and Works of Charles W. Chesnutt
According to Britannica.com, Charles W. Chesnutt was born on 20 June, 1858 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The son of free blacks from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Chesnutt began his professional career as first an assistant principal and then a principal (1880-1883) of State Colored Normal School, which is now known as Fayetteville State University.
During his time as principal, Chesnutt grew weary of the treatment blacks received in North Carolina, and subsequently moved his family to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked as a clerk-stenographer until he became a successful attorney. While performing his familial and professional duties, Chesnutt somehow found the time to write an impressive number of stories, essays, and books. From 1885 to 1905, he completed dozens of stories and essays, three novels, and a biography of Frederick Douglass.
Chesnutt's books and stories were filled with authentic depictions of life among African-Americans and subtle indictments of the injustices performed by mankind against his own species. Among Chesnutt's more famous works were The Conjure Woman (1899), The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color Line (1899), and The Colonel's Dream (1905).
Charles W. Chesnutt died on 15 November, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio.
USPS Charles W. Chesnutt Black Heritage Stamp
As seen in USA Philatelic: Beyond the Perf, Issue 016, with the Charles W. Chesnutt issue, the USPS continued its design scheme featuring color portraits for the Black Heritage series. Kazuhiko Sano created the portrait for the Chesnutt stamp.
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Chesnutt's books and stories were filled with authentic depictions of life among African-Americans and subtle indictments of the injustices performed by mankind against his own species.
