On February 26, 1940, the Postmaster of Scotlandville, LA, on behalf of Southern University State School for Negros asked the Post Office Department to allow it to share in the ceremonies honoring Washington. 18 In reply, the Post Office Department said that stamps could only be made available after the ceremony at Tuskegee.
D.H. Kyle, history teacher of the Kelly Miller High School, Clarksburg, W. Va, asked Postmaster General Farley for permission to obtain the Washington stamps in time to present them at their junior-senior banquet. 19 In reply, Farley said the stamps would be at the Clarksburg post office on April 8, suggest to Mr. Kyle that he make early application "before the allotted supply is depleted"
The Tuskegee Philatelic Club prepared a special cachet for the Washington first day, advertising its availability in both philatelic and non-philatelic media. The Washington Tribune, ("only Negro newspaper printed and published in the nation’s capital") offered any new subscriber a free serviced Tuskegee Philatelic club cover. 20 It also suggested that its readers obtain copies of the "first Negro stamps", noting also that first day covers would be of limited number.
The Washington Tribune had a special issue on March 23, 1940 devoted to the Booker T. Washington stamp. 21 In one article it wrote, "The Booker T. Washington must be a sell-out." It urged its readers to use the 10c stamp for special delivery and parcel post mailings. "Let’s overlook no chance to use these new stamps which honor our eminent educator."
Elsewhere, a column reports on the "ten years" of persistent requests and petitions which culminated in the Washington stamp. They lauded Major Wright as a leading advocate, but also cited "Claude A. Barnett of Chicago, Robert Vann of Pittsburgh, School Stamp Clubs, and Negro Civic Organizations all over the United States."
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing invited students of the Margaret Murray Washington Vocational School, (Washington, DC) to witness the first press runs of the Washington stamp. The school was named in honor of Booker T. Washington’s wife, who was herself an educator who had a life-long interest in the welfare and education of young women.
The Post Office Department issued a press release reporting that George W. Peterson of the Division of Stamps would be a member of the staff sent to assist the Tuskegee postmaster R.H. Harris in preparing the first day covers. 22 The Washington Tribune reported that "Mr. Peterson is the first colored Civil Service employee ever to be sent out as a representative of the Post Office Department in connection with first day sales." Also, " The first day sale of the Booker T. Washington stamp is to be unique in that these stamps are to be placed on sale at a Post Office supervised and directed by one of the few colored postmasters in the United States."
The First Day Ceremony
The first day events for the Booker T. Washington stamp began at 9am on Sunday, April 7, 1940, when the stamps went on sale. Sadie Peterson Delany, President of the Tuskegee Philatelic Club led the program honoring Washington’s descendants who had gathered at the Tuskegee Institute Post Office for the first day proceedings. 23 A large crowd of philatelists, collectors and dealers, and the general public rushed to purchase the new stamps and prepare first day covers for cancellation. The U.S. Post Office Department had sent specialists from Washington, DC to assist Postmaster Harris and his staff in handling sales and canceling. Twenty-five extra clerks were needed.
Postmaster General James A. Farley, accompanied by government and political figures, arrived at noon. The first sheet of the Washington stamp was purchased by Captain Alvin J. Neely, Executive Secretary of the Tuskegee General Alumni Association, and autographed by Postmaster General Farley. He then presented the sheet to Washington’s daughter, Portia Washington Pittman, who was accompanied by Gloria Washington, Washington’s granddaughter. After the ceremonies, the sheet was turned over to Dr. William J. Schieffelin, Chairman of the Board, who in turn gave it to President Patterson for retention by Tuskegee Institute.
Postmaster General Farley, the Institute Trustees, family members, dignitaries and special guests were feted at a lunch at Dorothy Hall. Then all marched to the Chapel for the Founder’s Day Exercises at 2 pm.
