1998 32c Folk Musicians: Huddie 'Leadbelly' Ledbetter

US 3212
1998 Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter

• Part of set of 4 featuring Folk Musicians
• 11th installment in Legends of American Music series

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Set:  Legends of American Music (Folk Musicians)
Value:  32¢, First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue:  June 26, 1998
First Day City:  Washington, DC
Quantity Issued:  11,250,000
Printed by:  Sennett Security products
Printing Method:  Photogravure
Format:  Pane of 20
Perforations:  10.1 X 10.2

Why the stamp was issued:  This stamp is part of a set of four issued in honor of American folk musicians Woody Guthrie, Sonny Terry, Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter, and Josh White.

About the stamp design:  Portrait artist Bernie Fuchs is the talent behind the stamp images.  He chose to paint in oil to give texture to his work. 

Special design details:  Like the other stamps in the Legends of American Music series, the edges around the vignette are soft rather than being a defined, crisp border.

First Day City:  The stamps were issued during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the national Mall in Washington, DC.

About the Legends of American Music Series:  The Legends of American Music Series debuted on January 8, 1993, and ran until September 21, 1999.  More than 90 artists are represented from all styles of music:  rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues, country and western, jazz and pop, opera and classical, gospel and folk.  In addition to individual singers and Broadway musicals, subjects include band leaders, classical composers, Hollywood songwriters and composers, conductors, lyricists, and more.  The Legends of American Music Series was a huge advancement for diversity because it honored many Black and female artists.
The Folk Musicians stamps are the 11th in the Legends of American Music series.  They honor four musicians who wrote heart-stirring ballads and songs about political issues.  Those commemorated on these stamps are: Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter, whose greatest is was “Goodnight Irene;” Woody Guthrie, the talent behind “This Land is Your Land;” Sonney Terry, who was known for his harmonica playing; and guitarist Josh White, who sang “Nobody Know You When You’re Down and Out.”

History the stamp represents:  Called the “king of the 12-string guitar players.”  Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter (1885-1949) was a guitarist, singer, and composer.  Although his musical interests began in his early years, he wasn’t recognized as a performer until after the age of 49.
Much of Leadbelly’s music is a result of his upbringing.  Born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, he was exposed to southern black American music and hymns.  In his teens, his father gave him a guitar, and it became his constant companion.  He traveled the country picking out songs on the instrument, playing street corners to make money.  He also worked in the cotton fields and in construction.  Field hands gave him the nickname “Leadbelly” because he was a fast worker.
In 1932, Leadbelly was discovered while serving a jail term in Louisiana.  Folk song expert Dr. John Lomax asked him to record prison songs.  Ledbetter was released on good in 1934, and he traveled to New York City with his beat-up green guitar.  From then on, Leadbelly gave concerts across the country, in nightclubs and concert halls, and on the radio.  One of his most famous songs was “Goodnight Irene.”