Black Heritage Stamp Series

The United States Postal Service Honors Phillis Wheatley

The United States Postal Service is issuing a new commemorative postage stamp as part of its ongoing Black Heritage series. The new design is dedicated to honoring the life and literary contributions of Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved 18th-century poet recognized as a foundational figure in American literature.

The Phillis Wheatley Black Heritage stamp features an original portrait of the poet by artist Kerry James Marshall, who depicted Wheatley later in life. The design is designated as a Forever stamp, maintaining its validity for first-class mail regardless of future price changes.

For collectors, the Phillis Wheatley stamp represents the 49th installment in a long-running and respected thematic series. Its issuance during the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration frames Wheatley’s complex narrative within the broader context of the Revolutionary era, inviting reflection on the foundational contradictions of the nation.

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