Marian Anderson Stamp Dedication Ceremony
DAR Headquarters, Washington, DC - January 27, 2005
Invitation to the Marian Anderson commemorative stamp ceremony held at DAR Headquarters on January 27, 2005.
DAR President General Presley Merritt Wagoner (left) with Marian Anderson's nephew, James DePreist (center) and U.S. Postal Service Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan (right) before the Marian Anderson commemorative stamp unveiling ceremony.
Family members of Marian Anderson gather to celebrate the day's events.
Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan and Marian Anderson biographer, Allan Keiler before the ceremony.
From left to right: Marian Anderson stamp artist Albert Slark, Presley Wagoner, James DePreist, John Nolan and Allan Keiler.
DAR President General Wagoner speaking with civil rights pioneer Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, who gave the invocation at the ceremony.
U.S. Postal Service staff selling ceremony collectibles and first day of issue cancellations to philatelists in the Pennsylvania Foyer of DAR Headquarters.
Program for the first day of issue dedication ceremony of the Marian Anderson commemorative stamp.
The captivated crowd watches Denyce Graves sing at the dedication ceremony of the Marian Anderson commemorative stamp unveiling. Graves, a renowned mezzo-soprano, recently sang at the Presidential Inauguration ceremony.
Ambassador of Finland Jukka Valtasaari and his wife were recognized as honored guests during the dedication ceremony. During WWII, Marian Anderson sang in Finland and is revered there. Ambassador Valtasaari explained that he grew up hearing wonderful stories of Marian Anderson and her importance in Finnish history.
Musicologist and biographer Allan Keiler, author of Marian Anderson: A Singer's Journey, speaks to the crowd about the emotional power of music and pays tribute to Marian Anderson's legacy.
Students and other attendees enjoy watching the live feed of the ceremony in the DAR Library, which served as an overflow room for the crowded event.
In her remarks at the ceremony, Daughters of the American Revolution President General Presley Wagoner expressed how honored the organization was to host the dedication ceremony. She recognized Marian Anderson as a remarkable musical talent and important historical figure.
James DePreist, John Nolan and others gather on stage to unveil the new stamp.
The ceremony's honored guests admire the new Marian Anderson Stamp, the 28th in the U.S. Postal Service's Black Heritage series. From left to right: Ambassador Jukka Valtasaari, Rev. Walter Fauntroy, soprano Kathleen Battle, Anderson biographer Allan Keiler, Anderson's nephew James DePreist, Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan, DAR President General Presley Wagoner, local ABC News reporter Angela Russell, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, soprano Mattiwilda Dobbs.
Guests line the aisles to catch a glimpse of the unveiling.
Students from Washington, D.C.'s Duke Ellington School of the Arts perform a theatrical tribute to Marian Anderson.
The Deputy Post Master General speaks to a packed crowd about the evolution of the Marian Anderson stamp and highlights the singer's historical and musical contributions.
Marian Anderson's nephew, James DePreist, who is the Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies at The Julliard School, shares stories of his aunt's life. Speaking on behalf of the Anderson family he thanked the U.S. Postal Service and the Daughters of the American Revolution for hosting the event and for their kind words at the ceremony.
Attendees at the First Day of Issue Ceremony listen to the musical performance of opera star and Washington, D.C. native, Denyce Graves and local pianist Michael Adcock.
Denyce Graves gives a passionate performance of the spiritual 'Deep River' to an enchanted crowd.
Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy and local ABC News reporter, Angela Russell (right) sign autographs following the dedication ceremony.
Denyce Graves autographs programs and speaks with guests after the ceremony.