August Derleth's Centenary Year 2009

The centenary of August Derleth's birth was marked with several special events.

24 February 2009 was declared "August Derleth Day" by Jim Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin.

The US Postal Service provided two special pictorial hand stamps for the cancellation of mail posted in Sauk City and Prairie du Sac on 24 February.

Cover showing postmark with an image of a hawk in flight

Cover showing postmark with the Arkham House logo

It is highly appropriate that these covers bear postage stamps featuring Edgar Allan Poe -- another master of the macabre, whose bicentenary year is celebrated in 2009. These covers also have a reproduction of a publicity "postage stamp" that Derleth had produced for him in the 1930's, when he was a young author just starting to go places.

Thanks to Leigh Blackmore for providing these pictures.