The Stamp Collectors Corner

Marian Anderson was a concert and operatic singer whose famous contralto voice helped her earn an honored spot as one of the people featured in the “Black Heritage” commemorative postage stamp series.  The stamp was issued by the United States Postal Service in January of 2005 and was the 28th in the very popular series.

Born in 1897, or 1902, depending on whether you believe her birth certificate or Anderson herself, she began her singing career at the very young age of six.  She spent much of her adolescent years teaching herself piano and performing at various places where she her race was accepted.

As with many African American’s at that time, Anderson experienced her share of racism.  One event in particular brought the racism issue into the nation’s forefront.  In 1939, Marian Anderson was already a very successful performer. At that time, she was touring in America and around the world about 70 times a year.

Reportedly, her agent tried to book a concert at Washington DC’s Constitutional Hall, which was the city’s most important concert center at that time.  The concert hall had instated a new clause banning anyone who was not “white” from performing at the facility.

Please check back on Wednesday for the conclusion to this post.