US #5619
2021 Ursula K. Le Guin – Literary Arts Series
• Commemorates Ursula Le Guin
• The 33rd stamp in the Literary Arts Series
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Literary Arts
Value: 95¢ Three Ounce Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: July 27, 2021
First Day City: Portland, Oregon
Quantity Issued: 10,000,0... more
US #5619
2021 Ursula K. Le Guin – Literary Arts Series
• Commemorates Ursula Le Guin
• The 33rd stamp in the Literary Arts Series
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Literary Arts
Value: 95¢ Three Ounce Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: July 27, 2021
First Day City: Portland, Oregon
Quantity Issued: 10,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Why the stamp was issued: To celebrate the works of author Ursula K. Le Guin and her influence on science fiction and fantasy genres.
About the stamp design: Pictures a portrait of Le Guin based on a 2006 photograph. The background includes a snowy landscape with two figures. It’s intended to represent a scene from Le Guin’s famous novel “The Left Hand of Darkness” (1969). Artwork by Donato Giancola.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Evan H. Roberts Sculpture Mall at the Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon. Portland was Le Guin’s home for much of her life.
About the Literary Arts Series: The Literary Arts Series began in 1979 with a John Steinbeck stamp. The objective of the Literary Arts Series is to honor America’s most renowned authors. As the USPS put it, “These skillful wordsmiths spun our favorite tales – and American history along with them.” The series honors both well-known and lesser-known authors, making it like an encapsulation of America’s rich and varied literary history.
History the stamp represents: Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was a well-known American author who wrote in several different styles. She published science fiction, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry, as well as literary criticisms and English translations.
Le Guin was born in Berkeley, California, to author Theodora Kroeber and anthropologist Alfred Louis Kroeber. With two scholarly parents, the four Kroeber children all developed a love of reading from an early age. Le Guin was especially interested in science fiction and fantasy novels as well as myths and legends.
It wasn’t until the late 1950s that Le Guin began her writing career. Her first big hit was A Wizard of Earthsea (1968), followed by The Left Hand of Darkness (1969). Many critics describe these as Le Guin’s masterpieces. In fact, she was awarded the coveted Hugo and Nebula awards for best novel for the latter piece. She was the first woman in history to receive both awards.
Ursula K. Le Guin’s writing was different from many other authors at the time. She ignored typical ideas about writing fiction and addressed real-life issues such as race, gender, and sexuality. These concepts made Le Guin’s novels relatable to a wide audience and earned her a place among the literary greats.
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