Vintage Black Cinema: Black And Tan

Description

The 2008 Vintage Black Cinema commemorative stamp collection issued by the United States Postal Service also included a stamp featuring a scene from the 1929 film “Black and Tan.”

“Black and Tan” was directed by Dudley Murphy and starred Duke Ellington and his orchestra, who also performed the film’s score. The film features a young man named Fred who dreams of becoming a famous composer but must navigate various obstacles, including his disapproving father and a beautiful singer named Lila.

The stamp features an image of a piano player, which represents a scene from the film. The stamp was designed by artist Sam Weber, with the text “Vintage Black Cinema” and “USA 42” in the corner.

The Vintage Black Cinema stamp collection honored the significant contributions of Black filmmakers and actors to the American film industry, as well as the cultural impact of these films. The set of four stamps also included scenes from other pioneering Black films, including “The Blood of Jesus” (1941), “Cabin in the Sky” (1943), “Hallelujah” (1929), and “The Sport of the Gods” (1921).

The Vintage Black Cinema stamps serve as a reminder of the important role that Black artists have played in shaping American culture and history, and of the enduring legacy of vintage Black cinema.