US Post Office to Release Edgar Allan Poe Stamp

A stamp bearing the likeness of Edgar Allan Poe is to be released on January 16th, just a few days before the bicentennial anniversary of the 19th century weird writer's birth. The United States Post Office will release the 42 cent stamp to commemorate this anniversary of a major figure in American literary history. This is great timing, and underscores the significance of an author who, regrettably, usually doesn't generate a great deal of interest from the masses after they've departed school. Poe, though adored by readers of literature and weird fiction, is not widely recognized or read apart from his frequent place in High Schools and colleges as a teaching device. This is a great shame. However, if there's any year with hope of reviving wider interest in Edgar Allan Poe's work, it's this one.

Americans love an anniversary, and occasionally a gimmick. These stamps--which turned out rather stylish--should be just the thing to remind the public of Poe, the man born 200 years ago; and Poe, the writer: a timeless being of incredible cultural power. Besides, the stamps are certain to make nice collectibles and are good fun for sending parcels to those who already appreciate the sort of strangeness represented in Poe's writing. A pane of $20 Poe stamps will sell for $8.40, and they can be purchased online at the USPS product page here.

-Grim Blogger