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Collecting Postal History Covers

Don — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:04:42 +0000

A resource for collectors of postal history, covers, postcards, stamps and other relate areas of postal history. Browse dozens of articles on all types of postal history such as Airmail, Naval, Patriotic, Town Cancels, Auxiliary Markings, Stampless, Registered, Advertising, Censors, Special Delivery and just about anything else you can imagine.

If you have an article on postal history that you would like to share with other collectors I would be glad to post it for you.

Before He Was President, He Was Postmaster

Don — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:26:03 +0000

“Fellow citizens, I presume you all know who I am…I am humble Abraham Lincoln,” said the future President in a bid for election to the State Legislature of New Salem, Illinois. “I have been solicited by many friends to become a candidate for the legislature. My policies are short and sweet, like the old woman’s dance. I am in favor of a National Bank, I am in favor of the Internal improvement system, and a high protective tariff. These are my sentiments and political principles. If elected I shall be thankful; and if not, it will be all the same.”

Lincoln was NOT elected, and things…at least at the New Salem post office…would never be the same either.

With the election over and no job, Lincoln looked for other opportunities. He had an ill-fated experience as a business owner before finding a home with the U.S. Postal Service. Lincoln was appointed Postmaster of New Salem on May 7, 1833.

It is not known for certain how or why Lincoln – who had no postal or special affinity for mail delivery experience – was named to the position. One scenario speculates that the women of New Salem were irate because former Postmaster (and general store owner) Samuel Hill spent more time serving whisky than he did attending to the mail.

According to the story, the women lobbied their husbands to oust Hill and install Lincoln.

Soon to be known for his honesty, as Postmaster, Lincoln was known for his helpfulness. He was always willing to please customers and would go out of his way to do so. For example, when he knew that someone was waiting for an important letter, he would personally walk several miles to deliver it.

This job was not a confining one and Lincoln supplemented his post office income with odd jobs such as splitting rails, harvesting crops, helping at the mill, and tending store in New Salem. Always aware of his role as Postmaster, if Lincoln had plans to survey a piece of land in the country, he would deliver the mail to the people along the route.

Lincoln continued as Postmaster General in New Salem until 1836 when the post office was relocated to Petersburg.

Post Office Grateful Dead

Don — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:37:27 +0000

It’s not surprising to learn that there was trouble delivering the mail from the beginnings of the General Post Office in the 1700’s. What is surprising is that the ‘new’ U.S. Congress considered this a high priority on its agenda, and in 1777 created the position of Inspector of Dead Letters. In today’s politically correct parlance, these facilities have been renamed Mail Recovery Centers (MRC).

What constitutes a ‘dead’ letter? Basically, dead letters are any piece of ‘mystery’ mail with an address that confounds U.S. postal clerks. This includes misdirected letters that has all of the right information necessary for delivery, but for some reason was sidetracked either because they weren’t handled correctly by postal employees or had been abandoned at the designated post office. It also includes prank mail and something known as ‘Blind Readings’ …addresses that were so called because to the average postal worker the address would appear as though it was read blindfolded; and prank mail.

A red, leather-bound scrapbook entitled “Blind Reading” – containing the challenging-to-the-eye addressed envelopes – was assembled after 1883. It contains twenty-one clippings from the front of envelopes postmarked between 1883 and 1884 and is on display at the National Postal Museum.

An 1852 article on the DLO in Washington, D.C., describes a room in the General Post Office where “a body of grave, calm men…deals with these mortuary remains. They sort the letters and consign most to the flames after removing money, jewelry, or other items of value.” Still the Dead Letter Office is not the letter ‘morgue’ that its name implies. Instead, it is like a lively CSI unit, investigating the ‘forensics’ of mail gone astray.

Misguided missives are not simply relegated to the circular file in the DLO. Instead, a group of trained ‘dead letter detectives’ work to identify the correct destinations so that the mail may ultimately reach its intended recipient. In addition to ethics and reasoning skills, clerks are ‘armed’ with knowledge of languages and geography. They also rely on a wide range of printed references, including books listing U.S. cities, common U.S. street names, and institutions of higher learning about the world.

Mail ‘died’ by the thousands in the late 19th Century. It was not uncommon for the Dead Letter Office to handle as many as 23,000 pieces of misdirected mail daily! Unfortunately, only about 40% of these letters ultimately get to the proper destination.

Opening mail that is not addressed to you is a Federal crime, But the Dead Letter Office had the authority to open letters to determine the recipient. Clerks are prohibited from reading any more of the communications than absolutely necessary to determine where the letters should go.

Beyond that, the contents of letters are considered sacred.

2008 Postage Rate Increase

Don — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:19:36 +0000

On February 11, 2008, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced an increase in postage rates. Along with other increases, the cost of a 1st class stamp will be raised to $0.42 on May 12th.While the most visible change is the 1-cent increase for First-Class Mail letters, the changes are broader and include prices that could save you real dollars when shipping packages:

The Postal Service is authorized by The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act to adjust prices each May. The good news is that the Act also limits increases to be no more than inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. That basically means that postal rates, at worst, can only stay at their current relative cost. As some increases may be below inflation, the average relative cost of postage will actually decline.

Now may be a good time to stock up on Forever Stamps. These 1st class stamps, currently priced at $0.41, may be used in place of the new $0.42 stamps. Generally, being able to buy something now that will have a higher value later is seen as in investment. More than 6 billion “forever” stamps have been sold since they were introduced last year. Read more about the Forever Stamp.

The Boys of Summer

Don — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:49:48 +0000

It’s still only February, but ‘spring’ is in the air…spring training that is…and the start of a new season of baseball.

It stands to reason that a subject as beloved as baseball has naturally become part of postal history. And unlike collectible baseball cards, collectible baseball stamps are generally inexpensive and easy to transport and store.

In 1939, U.S. Postmaster General James A. Farley proposed that a new 3-cent baseball commemorative stamp be issued to coincide with the opening of the Baseball Hall of Fame the same year. Surprisingly, a nationwide poll of collectors voted overwhelmingly against it. But stamp-collecting President Roosevelt vetoed their vote and spread the word through the nation’s sports pages that he wished “every boy in America” could get a first-day cover from the new issue.

Adults may have initially rejected the stamp, but young fans were captivated immediately. Ultimately, 81 million stamps were issued and many are still available today.

Since then, the USPS has released hundreds of commemorative issues through the years, but 25 stand out as the most popular. Occupying three of the top two-dozen spots are stamps devoted to baseball legends, baseball sluggers, and baseball playing fields.

Baseball is as American as apple pie, and just as popular. In 2006, nearly 76 million people (75,959,167) took themselves out to the ballgame, with the New York Yankees drawing the most fans (4,200,468) and the Florida Marlins drawing the fewest fans (1,165,120).

Television has made baseball a shared virtual reality worldwide. With 21st Century transportation advancements (think Airbus to the ballgame), it’s bound to become true reality as well, brining people together to root, root, root for the home team. (Imagine jumping on an airbus to an away game!).

In these times of uncertainty, the continuing popularity of baseball stamps and event covers seems assured.

Love American Style

Don — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:11:57 +0000

Recognizing an opportunity to spread the love for Valentine’s Day, the United States Post Office created a commemorative stamp series dedicated to love. The USPS issues new Love stamps annually with design featuring a wide range of subjects, including flowers, animals, cherubs and love letters, as well as abstract designs. The series, originally intended to be used for Valentine’s Day, has also been popular for wedding correspondence, and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards.

The first Love stamp was issued by the Postal Service in 1973 with a denomination of 8-cents and an iconic design by pop artist Robert Indiana. The first issue was a printing production of 320 million stamps

The artist’s bio and a picture of the stamp may be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Indiana)

Last year, the Valentine issue celebrated America’s love of chocolate. The 2007 Love Stamp featues a Hershey’s Kisses chocolate and a red heart that form mirror images of one another. “Love” is written on the heart and “Kisses” appears on the signature white ribbon that extends from the top. The design was created by illustrator José Ortega who previously designed the Salsa stamp, one of four stamps that appeared as part of the 2005 Let’s Dance/Bailemos issuance.

See it here: http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2007/sr07_004.htm

The 2008 Love stamp is titled All Heart and is a departure from the traditional concepts of the commemorative series. The illustrator was Paul Zwolak, who created his design under the direction of Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD. The unique take on ‘love’ features an oversized heart being transported by its owner. The message it conveys is that a heart filled with love could be a gift to one’s beloved, rather than the usual flowers or candy.

See it here: http://stamps.about.com/od/newsandculture/ig/2008-U-S–Stamp-Program/All-Heart-Single.htm

It Takes A Village.

Don — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:03:51 +0000

Greetings, cover lovers…or as I like to think of you my fellow philatelic fanciers. I’m talking about the tens of millions of people throughout history and throughout the world who have contributed in large ways and small to the health and vitality of stamp collecting.

In her book, then-First Lady Hilary Clinton wrote ‘it takes a village’ to raise one child. And it takes a village – including Presidents, cachet designers, and ordinary citizens – to conceive, manufacture, and create cherished collections of stamps and covers. As a subscriber, you’re part of my ‘village’ and together we’re part of a global village made up of people of all ages, all genders, and all walks of life.

The common thread: a love and appreciation for stamps, covers, and the history of mail.

As an educational hobby, stamp collecting can be enjoyed for a relatively modest cost, and provides a tangible, enjoyable introduction to history, geography, and biography for all collectors, regardless of age.

Historically speaking, the U.S. was a little slow on the trigger regarding a national postage stamp. Colonists…and after 1776, Americans…had been using paid mail for years. It was not until March 3, 1847, however, under President Abraham Lincoln that Congress finally provided for the issuance of stamps. Congress started small, with just two stamps.

The first was a five-cent issue that is reddish brown in color and features an image of Benjamin Franklin, the first U.S. postmaster general. The ten-cent issue is black and depicts George Washington. The history-making stamps were printed by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson and were issued July 1, 1847.

The Franklin and Washington stamps were offered for sale on July 1, 1847, in NYC, with Boston receiving stamps the following day and other cities thereafter. As with all U.S. stamps issued for the next decade, the stamps were printed on a single sheet and only a modest space between the images so they could be cut apart (imperforate). This made separating them cleanly, without tearing them quite a chore, and most Americans were careless when handling them.

Fortunately, stamps were already becoming a beloved collectible as can be seen in the beautifully preserved examples of the day. Thinking no doubt of future generations of stamp fanciers, philatelists of the time separated them with scissors, or tore them painstakingly to preserve their beauty and their value.

Before long, powerful stamp societies began to evolve and became affiliates of the American Philatelic Society. The APS was founded in 1886 (as the American Philatelic Association) and was the first national body of stamp collectors with worldwide membership.

So you see…it really DOES take a village.

FDR Stamp Design ‘Little America’

Don — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:35:21 +0000

Stamp design is a collaborative effort…even when the lead designer is the President of the United States. A case in point is FDR’s sketch for the 1933 Polar Stamp. As a favor to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the President designed a commemorative-size stamp. It showed the eastern coast of the United States and South America, western areas of Europe and Africa, and the routes of Byrd’s trans-Atlantic, North Pole and South Pole flights.

When it came time to create the actual stamp, the artists at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where the stamp was produced) took certain liberties with the design, but retained FDR’s concept. In addition to showing the coastal areas, a globe was implemented, to show the routes of Byrd’s journeys more clearly.

The 1933 ‘Little America’ Postmark – When FDR insisted that mail bearing his polar stamp be sent to Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s expedition base known as ‘Little America,’ he was motivated by his own understanding of postal history. He realized that collectors would pay dearly for the special cancellation from ‘Little America.’ The cost of a cover was 53-cents – with 3-cents allocated to postage and 50-cents to finance Byrd’s expedition. Admiral Byrd was, of course, deeply appreciative, and wrote the President: “Dear Franklin: I am greatly moved by the wonderful way in which you have helped me at this time of great crisis in my life. My expedition has been so costly that I have been threatened with bankruptcy. It is rather beautiful, Franklin, the way you have come to the rescue of your old friend.” Roosevelt’s sole request of Byrd was “a letter for my stamp collections.” Naturally, FDR received quite a few.

It’s Officially Christmas

Don — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:37:01 +0000

You only need to take a quick look in your mailbox to know it’s that time of year again. Christmas is here, and the official USPS Christmas stamp is once again on the cover of holiday cards, letters, and packages. The 2007 USPS Christmas stamp is the newest entry in a long line of government-issued holiday collectibles.

The official Christmas stamp is a fine old tradition…but just how old is it? The answer really depends on how old you are. If you’re a baby boomer, the release of the first Christmas Stamp is a treasured childhood memory. So it can’t be that old…or can it? Yes it can.

The United States Post Office Department issued its first Christmas stamp in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 1, 1962. The news understandably did not achieve front page status. A few days earlier, the world had been teetering on the brink of nuclear war. Then, on October 28th, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev authorized the dismantling of his country’s weaponry on the island of Cuba in exchange for President JFK’s assurances that American missiles along the Soviet border with Turkey would be removed.

Suddenly, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The release of the first official USPS Christmas stamp went largely unnoticed in light of world events. With the return to ‘peace on earth,’ however, Americans were free to focus on the holidays and on holiday mail. They were delighted with the red and green, 4-cent stamps that featured a wreath, two candles, and the words “Christmas 1962.”

Life was not all holly-jolly for the new issue. The decision to print a Christmas stamp encountered some controversy, especially from groups concerned about maintaining the separation of church and state. Ultimately, however, legal actions to bar the stamps were unsuccessful.

The Postal Department, in anticipation of high demand for the new Christmas stamp, ordered 350 million printed. It was the largest number produced for a special stamp until that time. It seemed reasonably since the total U.S. population was just 185,738,000.

Surprise!

The initial supply sold out quickly, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began working around the clock to print more. By the end 1962, one billion of the stamps had been printed and distributed. This year, the post office will print more than 4 billion Christmas postage stamps.

Hopefully, for tongues everywhere, most of those stamps are self-adhesive!

Happy holidays.

FDR The Stamp Collectors President

Don — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:22:42 +0000

The “Day of Infamy” speech is one of the best-known American political speeches of the 20th Century. It was delivered by to Congress and a stunned nation on December 8, 1941 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, often referred to as “The Stamp Collectors’ President.”

FDR was elected to the nation’s highest office in November 1932. His unprecedented four terms in the White House were marked with continuing political and economic crises. Yet despite the turmoil, the 32nd President of the United States, a lifelong stamp enthusiast, never lost touch with his hobby and found time to create original designs for several United States stamps issued while in office.

Although he was not a trained artist, Roosevelt did have a better-than-average knowledge of the elements of design. And he certainly knew what he himself found appealing as a stamp collector. His designs reflect the world events that occupied his attention as President, as well as his more personal stamp collecting interests.

Roosevelt’s first stamp design was done as a favor for a friend — Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, who needed help promoting his second Antarctic expedition. The Polar Stamp was issued on October 9, 1933. Postal enthusiast FDR insisted that the Post Office Department carry mail bearing this stamp to the expedition base to get a ‘Little America’ Postmark that he knew would increase the value of the covers for collectors.

In 1934, FDR sketched a design from a Mothers of America stamp in response to a request from a past national president of the American War Mothers. The President, was himself a devoted son, and wholeheartedly approved the idea of issuing a special stamp for use in conjunction with Mother’s Day mail. In 1938, he designed an airmail stamp based upon a Library of Congress bookplate.

In addition to designing stamps, The Stamp Collectors’ President made sure that the U.S. mails were a top priority. Despite its inevitable association with America’s entry into the war, Roosevelt said he tried to think of 1941 as the year the first Highway Post Office bus had its inaugural run.

As the war finally drew to a close, Roosevelt’s health deteriorated. One of the most beloved figures of American history died of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945, while posing for a portrait at Warm Springs, Georgia. Earlier that day he had approved the design for a new commemorative stamp titled “Toward United Nations.” It is said that the ‘spirit’ of the President lingered and that FDR did not leave the earth before spending an hour solemnly taking pleasure in the enduring comfort of his stamps.