Folk Singer And Activist Pete Seeger Now Has A Personal US Postal Stamp

Late American folk singer and social activist Pete Seeger, who wrote the songs “If I Had a Hammer,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone”
was awarded as the newest American musician to grace the face of the U.S. postage stamp. The musician was honored at a special event held at the Newport Festival in Newport, Rhode Island.

Pete Seeger was a regular performer at the festival and served as a board member. The forever stamp has an edited black-and-white picture of the singer, which was taken in the early ’60s with Seeger singing and playing his ceremonial five-string banjo. According to a U.S. Postal Service spokesperson, the stamp is currently on sale at all post offices throughout the country in panes of 16, looking like a 45 rpm record sleeve. The design of both stamp and pane was done by Antonio Alcala, while Kristen Monthei edited the photograph.

Pete’s Son Is Thrilled About The Development

Dan Seeger, son of the legendary singer, said, “It is an honor to see a photo of my father I’d taken some 60 years ago become this wonderful forever stamp.

RELATED: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” Was A ’50s Folk Song Before Roberta Flack Launched It Into Success

My dad did most of his correspondence by handwritten letters — and I can imagine him smiling and, of course, appreciating this great honor because he relied on the U.S. Mail with its simplicity and honesty, knowing that thoughts and ideas can go from the sender over a tremendous expanse to a single receiver and get delivered.”

Another Angle To Explore The Persona Of Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger, who died in 2014 at the age of 94, is also renowned as a civil rights activist. He was introduced to activism in 1936 at 17 when he joined the Young Communist League and later became a full-fledged member of the Communist Party USA in 1948. He was the brain behind the song’s popularity, “We Shall Overcome,” as the mantra of the civil rights movement.

The iconic singer was also known for his criticism of the Vietnam War. Using his songs as a weapon, he satirically lampooned the then President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson, with his 1966 recording on the album Dangerous Songs!?. He famously stated that the president using the name “Mrs. Jay’s little son Alby” had been in his ears and, as such, could not hear what the people were saying.

Tribute To Pete Seeger

Tom Foti, the postal service’s product solutions vice president, said of Seeger, “He was not only a champion of traditional American music, he was also celebrated as a unifying power by promoting a variety of causes, such as civil rights, workers’ rights, social justice, the peace movement and protecting the environment.”

“Over the years, Pete used his voice and his hammer to strike blows for workers’ rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation, and he always invited us to sing along. For reminding us where we come from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful to Pete Seeger,” the former U.S. head of State Barrack Obama said in a tribute at his death.