WASHINGTON – The U.S. Postal Service has honored New Orleanians Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Mahalia Jackson with postage stamps in the past. Now, it will honor the music born in their hometown – jazz – with a postage stamp of its own in 2011.
The jazz stamp was among 25 new stamps unveiled Tuesday, to be offered for sale in 2011. No date was given for the jazz stamp’s release, however.
“With this stamp, the U.S. Postal Service is proud to pay tribute to jazz, America’s musical gift to the world, and to the musicians who play it in studios, clubs, or concert halls, and on festival stages,” postal authorities said in a news release, which properly mentions New Orleans as the birthplace of the music.
The stamp features the work of a California artist, Paul Rogers, and was designed by art director Howard Paine, postal officials said.
Author Mark Twain, whose time as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River and in New Orleans helped shape his writings, will also be honored with a 2011 postage stamp, which goes on sale in June.
Other commemorative stamps unveiled Tuesday include one honoring former President Ronald Reagan, actors Gregory Peck and Helen Hayes, legends of Latin music and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.
In addition, former U.S. Congresswoman from Texas Barbara Jordan is the 2011 Black Heritage stamp honoree. Stamps will also be issued to observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the 50th anniversary of America’s first manned spaceflight and a celebration of Disney Pixar movie characters.
