Stamp by Lawton, Oklahoma Artist Now Available for Purchase

Last year an artist from Lawton, Oklahoma, was commissioned to design a stamp for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Now as of Jan. 23, you can purchase the USPS stamp for Black History Month that was designed by local artist Robert Peterson!

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The stamp features novelist Ernest J. Gaines. Here's the description from the United States Postal Service:

The 46th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors author Ernest J. Gaines (1933-2019). Best known for such novels as 'The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman' and 'A Lesson Before Dying,' Gaines drew from his childhood as the son of sharecroppers on a Louisiana plantation to explore the untold stories of rural African Americans.

Most Seen Artwork From Any Oklahoman

Peterson posted on his Instagram the day before the stamp came out, and reflected on a recent interview he had with PBS where the interviewer said the stamp  "will be the most seen artwork from any Oklahoma artist."

Peterson Honored By Hometown

Lawtonians have been Peterson's biggest supporters and cheerleaders since he started painting and have continued to celebrate him throughout his career's success. At Tuesday's Lawton City Council meeting, Peterson was honored by Mayor Stan Booker with a certificate of recognition.

How To Purchase the Stamp Designed by Peterson

You can now purchase the Black History Month stamp designed by Peterson at any post office. You can also order them online from the United States Postal Service at this link: https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/ernest-j-gaines-stamps-S_482904.

And if you missed our last interview with Peterson, check it out below! Congratulations, Robert! We're proud of you!