Scott #4377: Edgar Allan Poe The Raven - .42 Cent Commemorative Stamps - MNH Condition

2009 Edgar Allan Poe Commemorative Stamp Sheet – Complete Pane of 20 (Scott #4377, Mint Never Hinged)

Step into the shadowed brilliance of American literature with the 2009 USPS Edgar Allan Poe Commemorative stamp sheet, issued to honor the master of Gothic fiction and poetic melancholy. This hauntingly beautiful pane celebrates Poe’s literary genius—an essential collectible for admirers of U.S. commemoratives, literature, and the macabre.

Collector Highlights:

• Scott Number: 4377
• Issue Date: January 16, 2009
• Denomination: 42¢ each (Total Face Value: $8.40)
• Format: Full sheet (pane) of 20 self-adhesive stamps, arranged 4×5
• Condition: Mint Never Hinged (MNH) – pristine, post-office fresh, full original gum
• Series: Literary Arts Commemorative
• Theme: American Authors / Literature / Gothic Art / Poetry

Design & Artistic Details:

This striking issue features a somber, introspective portrait of Edgar Allan Poe, framed in muted tones that echo his distinctive Gothic style. The selvage margin includes a short biography and the chilling line “Leave my loneliness unbroken!” from The Raven—transforming the sheet from simple postage into a true work of literary art.

Why Collect This Issue:

The Edgar Allan Poe Commemorative stands as a centerpiece of the USPS Literary Arts series, celebrating one of America’s most influential writers. His works—The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher—shaped modern mystery, horror, and detective fiction. This Mint Never Hinged sheet is ideal for collectors of American cultural history, authors, or classic literature themes.

More About This Item:

Released on Poe’s 200th birthday in Richmond, Virginia, this issue was designed by Carl Herrman and illustrated by Michael J. Deas, who based the portrait on the only known photograph of Poe taken during his lifetime. Their collaboration produced one of the most artistically acclaimed U.S. commemoratives of the 2000s.

Collector Insight:

Because of its literary resonance and powerful design, this pane remains one of the most collected modern commemoratives—bridging art, literature, and philately in a single, evocative issue.