Famous American Authors

The 1940 Famous Americans Series (#859-93) was a major group of U.S. commemorative postage stamps that honored 35 important Americans. The series was divided into seven groups: Authors, Poets, Educators, Scientists, Composers, Artists, and Inventors. The first stamps were issued on January 29, 1940, beginning with the Authors group. The Post Office Department selected people who had made important contributions to American life and culture. The First Day of Issue ceremonies were usually held in places connected to the person being honored, such as their birthplace or a community where they had lived. This gave local communities an opportunity to celebrate their famous residents.

The Famous American Authors stamps honored five well-known writers: Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, and Samuel L. Clemens, who was better known by his pen name, Mark Twain. Washington Irving, shown on the 1-cent stamp, wrote Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. James Fenimore Cooper, on the 2-cent stamp, became famous for stories about the American frontier, including The Last of the Mohicans. Ralph Waldo Emerson appeared on the 3-cent stamp and was an important writer and thinker. Louisa May Alcott, on the 5-cent stamp, wrote the beloved novel Little Women. Mark Twain appeared on the 10-cent stamp and wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The five authors' stamps were issued between January 29 and February 13, 1940, in Tarrytown and Cooperstown, New York; Boston and Concord, Massachusetts; and Hannibal, Missouri.

The Famous Americans Series is also a good way to connect postage stamps with National Authors' Day, observed each year on November 1. The idea for this holiday began in 1928 with Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, a teacher and president of the Bement, Illinois, Women’s Club. She wanted to create a special day to appreciate American authors. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs supported the idea in 1929, and the U.S. Department of Commerce recognized National Authors' Day in 1949. Today, November 1 is a chance to read a favorite book, discover a new writer, or thank an author for the stories and ideas they have shared. The authors honored on the 1940 stamps remind us how writers can influence American culture and leave their ideas for future generations.

Do you like to read? I’ve loved reading since I was a little girl. I like reading fiction, but my husband likes reading nonfiction books. What is your favorite book or author? Mine is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

References:

• Smithsonian National Postal Museum – American Authors
• Smithsonian National Postal Museum – 1940–1941 Issues
• National Day Calendar – National Authors' Day
• 1847 U.S. – The Famous American Stamps of 1940
• https://www.mysticstamp.com/859-93-1940-famous-americans-series-complete-set-35-stamps/
• https://nationaltoday.com/national-authors-day/