blackstamps.us

Learn More About Black History From:   blackstamps.us

From 1940 through 2020 United States postage stamps and postcards have honored 259 African-Americans and their participation in historical events. For the first day a new stamp was to be issued companies and individuals promoting stamp collecting produced printed or hand drawn envelopes with artwork that provide more information about the celebrated person or event. This cachet (pronounced Ka-SHAY) usually appears on the left side of the envelope and the envelope will have the new stamp along with a “First Day of Issue” cancellation.

Viewing the First Day Covers shown on this website is an excellent way to learn more about these honored African-Americans and historical events. The website includes stamps with a clearly identified U.S.-born African American, and stamps (including those using images or graphics) that recognize an event or activity in which African-Americans were crucial participants. Some First Day Covers have different stamps and some individuals have been honored with more than one stamp.

Explore this Website!

     1.) Search by name of person or event.

     2.) Search by date issued

     3.) Search by Scott stamp number

     4.) Scroll through all covers from 1940 through 2020

Test your knowledge!

    1.) Questions to test your knowledge

     2.) Answers to knowledge test

Below is a sample First Day Cover providing more information on a new stamp.

Resources to learn more about first day covers and stamp collecting.

   1.) For first day covers visit the website of the American First Day Cover Society:  afdcs.org  

   2.) For stamp collecting visit the website of the American Philatelic Society: Stamps.org

   3.) For information about collecting stamps depicting people and events related to the African Diaspora contact the Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections (ESPER) at www.esperstamps.org

   4.) For information about collecting stamps by specific topics contact the American Topical Association at americantopical.org

2021 Produced by L. Charles Cooper, contact:  LC752144@gmail.com