SYD KRONISH | Stamps Many faces of Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson was a man for all seasons -- athlete, scholar, singer, actor and civil-rights activist. His talent and wide range of accomplishments won him world acclaim.
Next year the U.S. Postal Service will hail Robeson with a new stamp -- he'll be the 2004 honoree in the Black Heritage series. The new stamp was unveiled at special ceremonies at the Columbia University Center for Contemporary Black History.
Paul Leroy Bustill Robeson was born April 9, 1898 in Princeton, N.J. His father was a runaway slave who became a pastor and encouraged his son to rise above the fray -- and he did with much determination and desire.
He received a scholarship to Rutgers University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year and became valedictorian in his senior year.
Robeson earned varsity letters in four sports and was named Rutgers' first All-America football player. He went on to earn a law degree from Columbia University, supporting himself by playing professional football on weekends.
Robeson obtained a position in a New York law firm but left to devote himself to the theater. He won acclaim for his performance in the Broadway production of "Show Boat" and his singing of "Ol' Man River." Further worldwide plaudits came for his artistry in Shakespeare's "Othello."
Robeson will be remembered for his tireless and unwavering commitment to civil rights and social justice. He died in January 1976 at the age of 77.
The new stamp will feature a smiling Robeson. More details will be available next year.
Breast cancer
The Postal Service has added additional emphasis to its campaign to help find a cure for breast cancer by making the largest single sale -- $1 million -- of its semi-postal stamp to Safeway Inc. The stamp was originally issued in 1998 as part of the continuing campaign by the USPS to help raise awareness for a variety of health and social issues.
The company will make the stamp available to its customers at its many stores for the 45-cent price. The additional value above the first-class rate will go to the campaign as a tax-deductible donation, with the proceeds going to the National Institute of Health and the Medical Research Department of the Department of Defense, both of which are doing research on breast cancer.
To date, the Breast Cancer Research stamp has raised more than $33 million for research. The Safeway sales began in October.
The stamp has a drawing of a female figure being examined. The inscription reads "FUND THE FIGHT -- FIND A CURE."
You can order stamps directly from your local post office by calling toll free (800) STAMP-24.