Richard Allen Stamp (excerpts from the press release)
The United States Postal Service is pleased to announce the official presentation of the Richard Allen Commemorative Forever Stamp.
The stamp’s release is meant to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the founding of the A.M.E. Church, established in 1816 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The AME Church has grown to over 7000 churches in 39 countries.
“The stamp art is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled, ‘Bishops of the A.M.E. Church’ from the collection of The Library Company of Philadelphia.”
“Born a slave on Feb. 14, 1760, Richard Allen lamented the bitterness of slavery. He purchased his own freedom in his 20s and became one of the most important African-American leaders of
his era,” reads a statement from the Postal Service, in part. “His life — a legacy of determination, uplift, charity and faith — remains an inspiration to all Americans.”