29c "Ma" Rainey stamp

United States Postal Service1994-09-17

Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Washington, DC, United States

Born Gertrude Melissa Nix Pridgett, "Ma" Rainey (1886-1939), the Mother of the Blues, joined the black vaudeville troupes touring the South at age 14. Shortly after she married William "Pa" Rainey, she began to work into her "Rabbit Foot Minstrels" plaintive tunes she had first overheard a young Missouri woman sing. Among her most memorable songs are "See See Rider," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and "Bo Weavil Blues."

Reference: Postal Bulletin (September 1, 1994).

Scott Catalogue USA: 2859
mint

Museum ID: 1995.2075.57

Show lessRead more

Details

Title: 29c "Ma" Rainey stamp
Creator: United States Postal Service
Date Created: 1994-09-17
Subject Keywords: "Ma" Rainey, stamp
Medium: paper; ink (multicolored); adhesive / lithography

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Zoom in

Adhesive Blues Ink Ma Rainey

Interested in Performance?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

No, thanks

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.