Exhibit delivers faces of famed African Americans Private collector loans museum stamp collection BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN - From the invention of a shoe-making machine to the first woman to hold an international pilot's license, the African American Stamp Art exhibit at the Monmouth Museum is a surprising and insightful way to spend an afternoon. Each stamp in the large collection has been enlarged, framed and hung in the museum's Nilson Gallery, located on the campus of Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown. On loan until Feb. 18, the exhibition is courtesy of Wanda Garbett, of Edison, a private collector who has lectured on the topic. The collection includes portions of the U.S. Postal Service's Jazz and Black Heritage series. From a 13-cent 1978 Harriet Tubman to a 2004 Paul Robeson, the individuals displayed on the stamps are as varied as America itself. "I find that each person, they have a unique contribution, not only to the African American community but to the United States as a whole," Garbett said at Sunday afternoon's opening reception. But not all the faces are familiar. Some are virtual unknowns and others are controversial, such as actress Hattie McDaniel, the first black actor to a win an Academy award. Since she won for Best Supporting Actress for her 1939 performance as the stereotypical Mammy in "Gone with the Wind," many have criticized the actress for enhancing the negative image of southern blacks as poor and uneducated. McDaniel's 2006 stamp was met with some grumbles at the opening reception. On the same wall as McDaniel, there's Jan E. Matzeliger, who in 1883 invented a "show-lasting" machine that fastened together the upper parts of a shoe to the sole. Although Matzeliger's fame may seem to pale in comparison to say, the works of Malcolm X or Sojourner Truth, Matzeliger's invention was revolutionary for its time, making footwear far more readily available to the masses. Nearby is Bessie Coleman, the first woman to earn an international pilot's license and the first licensed African American international aviator in the world. The popular Ella Fitzgerald will soon have a stamp in her honor. The U.S. Postal Service will unveil the new design on Feb. 3 at the museum, along with local politicians Sen. Joseph Kyrillos and Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry. Until that day, on display is a "little yellow basket" full of yellow flowers commemorating Fitzgerald's first number one hit, 1938's "A Tisket, a Tasket." Julia Fiorino, public relations coordinator for the museum, invites all to attend the ceremony. She also encourages school groups to plan a class trip to the exhibit. "The bottom line is, this is a joy to see, a wonderful collection," Fiorino said. "And I can't wait to see her next collection." Tickets are $6 for visitors age 2 and older. The museum is open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. For weekday hours and more information, call the museum, (732) 747-2266, or visit www.monmouthmuseum.org.