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Who's that?

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries

There are plenty of famous names on this year's U-S stamps — Gregory Peck, Mark Twain,
Selena — and some who were once household names but are being forgotten, like Helen
Hayes or Carmen Miranda.

Then there's this month's Romare Bearden (ROH-mare BEER-dn) stamps.

(pause) Who?

That's my He was an African-American artist best known for his collages in the mid-20th
century. You'll see four of his works on the stamps.

But there's a lot more to his story. He wrote songs and books, played baseball,
established a foundation to help young artists.

And you've probably never heard of him. Or Katherine Dunham, a choreographer on a stamp
next year.

Maybe you recognize the name of someone on a stamp, but don't know much else — like next
year's stamp subjects O. Henry or Larry Doby.

These stamps may prompt you to get more information about their subjects, and if so,
they've accomplished their mission.

Buzz Lightyear is fine, but so is Tito Puente.

These stamps may not make a great deal of money for the Postal Service, but to me, an
important function of commemorative stamps is bringing attention to people, places and
events that shouldn't be forgotten.

I'm Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting,
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.

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