Among the new stamps are those honoring stage and screen star Bob Hope (1903-2003), whose Broadway credits included Sidewalks of New York, Ups-a Daisy, Ballyhoo of 1932, Roberta, Say When, Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 and Red, Hot and Blue; author Richard Wright (1908-1960), whose novel "Native Son" was the basis for the play of the same name; and Hollywood legend Gary Cooper (1901-1961).

Hope's stamp will be issued May 29, 2009, on what would have been the late actor-comedian's 106th birthday. Kazuhiko Sano worked under the direction of art director Derry Noyes to create the stamp image, which is based on a composite of 1980s photographs of Hope.

On April 9, 2009, Wright will become the 25th inductee into the U.S. Postal Service's Literary Arts series. A dedication ceremony will be held at 11 AM in the lobby of the Chicago Post Office, 433 West Harrison Street. The stamp artwork by Kadir Nelson features a portrait of Wright in front of snow-swept tenements on the South Side of Chicago, a scene that recalls the setting of "Native Son."

The Cooper stamp will be available beginning Sept. 10, 2009. Art director Phil Jordan designed the stamp using a portrait by artist Kazuhiko Sano. The image is based on a black-and-white photograph of Cooper taken by George Hurrell circa 1940.

For more information visit www.usps.com.