Poe-stage stamp honors scribe

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RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Postal Service says it's marking the 200th birthday of author and poet Edgar Allan Poe with a special stamp.

The author of "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Raven," among dozens of other gloomy works, was born Jan. 19, 1809. He died Oct. 7, 1849.

The stamp honoring Poe was dedicated last week at the Library of Virginia in Richmond where several dignitaries -- including Poe's distant cousin -- spoke of his accomplishments. The 42-cent, First-Class commemorative stamp is now available nationwide.

"It is ironic that a man who faced loneliness, poverty and despair throughout much of his life, should be so richly loved by so many so long after his death," U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors member Katherine C. Tobin said in dedicating the stamp.

"He invented the detective story and elevated literary criticism to an art form. Poetry, however, was his self-declared passion. His works are found, or referenced in seemingly every form of art -- in plays, movies, musicals, operas, symphonies, recordings, comics, cartoons, television, sculpture, paintings and more. From Alfred Hitchcock to Bart Simpson to The Beatles -- who placed Poe center stage on the cover of their 'Sgt. Pepper' album -- the legendary writer, poet and literary critic has captured the public imagination as few, if any, have ever done."