The U. S. Postal Service is honoring Harlem Renaissance painter William H. Johnson, by issuing a “Forever” stamp of his 1939-40 painting, Flowers on Wednesday, April 11. The stamp will be the 11th issuance in the American Treasures series. First-Day-of-Issue ceremonies will be conducted in Baltimore and his hometown, Florence, SC.

Jim Johnson, nephew of the artist, will be on hand to unveil the stamp along with local Postal, Congressional, City and Museum officials. The event will take place at the Florence Museum of Art, Science and History at 558 Spruce St., at 3:30 p.m. Five of Johnson’s works are on display in the museum’s collection.

A special pictorial cancellation bearing Johnson’s likeness (art below) and the stamps will be available at the event. The cancellation is free, but can only be applied to items bearing First-Class postage. It may be ordered for 30 days by mail at: Johnson Postmark, Attn: Postmaster, 1901 W. Evans St. Florence, SC 29501-9998

William H. Johnson (1901-1970) is today recognized as a major figure in 20th-century American art. He is known for his colorful, folk-inspired scenes of African-American daily life. This is the second of his paintings to be featured on a U. S. postage stamp, following Executive Order 9981, (the order which abolished segregation in the military) which was featured in the To Form A More Perfect Union sheet of stamps honoring Civil Rights milestones, issued in 2005.

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