Marvin Gaye And Gregory Hines On 2019 Forever Stamps

 By ToyaSharee

I’m probably one of the last few people who mail my utility bills (because convenience fees are not in my budget), but now I can add a little Black history to my postal experience. The United States Postal Service recently unveiled Marvin Gaye and Gregory Hines as the latest honorary historical figures to be featured in their forever stamp collection.

Portraits of both Gaye and Hines will be released as commemorative stamps in 2019 joining other icons once featured such as Lena Horne, civil rights activist Rosa Parks and poet Maya Angelou.

U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Executive Director Mary-Anne Penner told the Minnesota-Spokesman-Recorder that the stamps are the latest addition to the service’s efforts to tell the story of American history in its entirety:

“The miniature works of art illustrated in the 2019 stamp program offer something for everyone’s interest about American history and culture.”

“From legendary poet Walt Whitman to the entertainment genius of Gregory Hines to the majestic beauty of our Wild and Scenic Rivers, this program is diverse and wide-ranging and tells America’s story on stamps.”

Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp featuring the legendary tap dancer and choreographer Gregory Hines using a 1988 photo taken by Jack Mitchell. The stamp is number 42 in the Black Heritage series. Artist Kadir Nelson is behind the soul singer Marvin Gaye’s stamp which will join the Music Icons series. Gaye bought us classics like “What’s Goin On?” and “Sexual Healing.”

Kwanzaa stamps will also be released in 2019 featuring vivid portraits of families engaging in the Pan-African celebration.

You can check out the new stamps below: