The U.S. Postal Service will honor Phillis Wheatley—the first author of African descent in the American colonies to publish a book—with the 49th stamp in its Black Heritage series, celebrating her legacy as a literary pioneer.
What To Know
According to the USPS press release, the first-day-of-issue event for the Phillis Wheatley Black Heritage stamp will take place at 11 a.m. EST on January 29, 2026, at Boston’s Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St.
The first-day-of-issue event is free and open to the public; however, those wishing to attend are advised to register via the USPS website.
The stamp, which will be issued in panes of 20, has been designed by USPS Art Director Antonio Alcalá and features a black-and-white, ink portrait of Wheatley, originally drawn by artist Kerry James Marshall. According to a statement, shared by art dealer David Zwirner, Marshall said, “Phillis Wheatley-Peters, died, aged 31, a free woman of color, facing forward. The image I made for this stamp sought to memorialize her, as such. That is how I chose to commemorate her legacy.”
The Phillis Wheatley stamp is classified as a Forever stamp—which will always be equal in value to the First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate.
About the Phillis Wheatley Stamp
The stamp’s portrait image reimagines Wheatley later in life, seated at her desk, writing quill in her hand, facing the viewer, working on what could be her second book of poems, according to the official stamp description, written by the USPS.
Wheatley was born around 1753 in West Africa and brought to Boston on a slave ship. When she arrived on U.S. soil, she became enslaved by the household of John Wheatley, where she was also educated by the family.
At around the age of 20, she wrote and published Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773), a collection that has cemented her place as a pioneering figure in the world of literature.
That same year, Wheatley also gained her freedom. She later corresponded with key historical figures, including George Washington, who praised her poetic gifts, according to the USPS. She became a symbol of intellectual excellence and a tool for abolitionists, who cited her work to help challenge racist assumptions and argue against slavery. Numerous schools, libraries, and public spaces across the United States are also named in her honor.
Her story continues to inspire new generations, as demonstrated by the recent publication of children’s books, scholarly biographies, and her inclusion in monuments such as the Boston Women’s Memorial.
