1950–1999 US Stamp Sets & Series

Literary Arts Series

According to the USPS, “These skillful wordsmiths spun our favorite tales — and American history along with them.”  The series began in 1979 and continues today. Steinbeck (1902-68) was born in Salinas, California, and based a great deal of his work in and around this area. His most famous novel, The Grapes of Wrath, won the … Read more

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Black Heritage Series

In 1978, the U.S.P.S. introduced the Black Heritage Series.  Today, it’s one of the longest-running and most popular U.S. stamp series. Harriet Tubman was born a slave in Bucktown, Maryland. Tubman escaped to Philadelphia in 1849 via the Underground Railroad, a network of Quakers and abolitionists. In a series of daring trips, Tubman helped lead members of … Read more

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Performing Arts Series

The Performing Arts Series began in 1978 with the issuance of two commemorative stamps. The Jimmy Rodgers stamp was released on May 24 and the George Cohen stamp on July 3.  Although they were issued only a few weeks apart, a rate increase on May 29, 1978, resulted in a 13-cent Jimmy Rodgers stamps and a 15-cent George … Read more

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