Oklahoma news

Feb. 17, 2023

Special Stamp Dedication of Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage Stamp

Lawton Resident and Stamp Artist Robert Peterson To Attend as Special Guest Custom Pictorial Postmark Available

Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage Stamp

What:

A special stamp dedication of the Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage Stamp will be held in Lawton, OK.

Stamp Artist Robert Peterson will share remarks and thoughts about the creative process and inspiration behind the Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage Stamp.

A custom pictorial postmark, designed by USPS Customer Relations Coordinator Sonya Dulan specifically for this event, will be available. Ernest J. Gaines stamps will be available for purchase.

This event is free and open to the public.

Who:

JT Hoffman, Postmaster, Lawton, OK
Stan Booker, Mayor, Lawton, OK
Robert Peterson, Stamp Artist
Sherene Williams, President, NAACP Lawton, OK Branch

When:

Friday, February 24, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Where:

Bethlehem Family Life Center, 602 NW Arlington, Lawton, OK

Background:

With the 46th stamp in the Black Heritage series, USPS honors acclaimed author Ernest J. Gaines. Adding a vital African American voice to American literature, Ernest J. Gaines brought worldwide attention to generations of men and women who asserted their own dignity in the face of racial oppression and violence.

The Postal Service commissioned Lawton artist Robert Peterson to design a stamp for Black History Month. The final stamp design features an oil painting of Ernest J. Gaines based on a 2001 photograph.

The Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage Stamp is now available at Post Office locations nationwide and online at the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps.

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The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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