Poe-stage Stamp: Edgar Allan Immortalized, For Evermore.

If to your house there comes a tapping. As of some one gently rapping, rapping at your chamber door. 'Tis just just the mailmain, and nothing more.

WASHINGTON –— Every year at meetings weary, experts ponder fame and theory, over many a quaint and curious request for honor on a stamp.

Who should they pick for honored postage: arts or science, famed youth or great age?

The answer's here. The coming year will feature a man of mystery.

Writer Edgar Allan Poe will be featured on a U.S. postage stamp early in 2009, the U.S. Postal Service said Thursday.

The 42-cent stamp will mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of poet and mystery writer Poe and will be issued Jan. 16 in Richmond, Va.

The Poe stamp is one of several issues for early in 2009 announced by the post office.

Other new postage announced included commemorative stamps marking Alaska and Oregon statehood, lunar new year — the year of the Ox — and a postal card marking the bicentennial of Miami University of Ohio.

Also announced was a set of stamps honoring a dozen civil rights leaders –– including Medgar Evers and Ella Baker –– which will go on sale Feb. 12 with ceremonies in New York.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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