ZOOM PROGRAM AVAILABLE
"Pushing the Envelope - A History of the Post Office Through Stamps" is available for Zoom presentations to libraries, senior centers, stamp clubs and other organizations.
Zoom programs are presented thanks to the support of NobleSpirit of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, the 2021 official event sponsor for the Museum.
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A PHILATELIC SALUTE TO WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Last month Archie, our stamp collecting alligator, showed his collection of people who ran for the US presidency but lost (click here for video : alsorans)
This month he wants to share his collection of women on US stamps who did extraordinary things, many of them for the first time in history, but whom most people may not know. Take a look at his YouTube and see how many of these women you know something about. Click here: history
Thanks go to Alanna Muldoon of Weston Media for all her work in editing Archie's show.
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NEW POSTAL TRUCKS ARE COMING
The U.S. Postal Service has awarded a 10-year contract to the firm Oshkosh Defense to build up to 165,000 new vehicles, potentially replacing almost the entire decades-old fleet.
The contract will be worth at least $482 million as Oshkosh will custom build an initial order of 50,000 right-hand-drive vehicles for USPS. The Postal Service’s “next generation delivery vehicle” (NGDV) search has lasted several years and gone through multiple delays, though its aging fleet and reports of trucks catching fire have given the process urgency. USPS owns more than 200,000 vehicles, most of which are categorized as “long-life” and have been on the road for an average of 25 years. The contract is being criticized by environmental groups upset that not all the vehicles will be electric. Some members of Congress are also concerned about how the contract was awarded. For more information, click on these two stories. trucks and contract.
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STAMP COLLECTING - THE HOBBY OF KINGS
AND THE KING OF HOBBIES
Recently the Romanian Post Office issued a stamp honoring King Carol II (1893-1953) who was a stamp collector. Many members of European royalty over the years have been serious collectors, the most famous being King George V of Great Britain whose collection included stamps from all 58 British colonies, most of which had his image on them.
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BETTER GET A BIG ENVELOPE |
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The stamp below was released on October 15, 2020 by the Singapore Post Office and depicts Marina Bay Central Business District. It is the widest postage stamp issue in Singapore’s history (Measuring 163.2 millimeters ).
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SCENTED STAMPS FROM SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia has entered the club of those countries which have issued scented or perfumed postage stamps. The Saudi Post recently released a block of 15 commemorative stamps, each in the denomination of SR3, depicting 15 kinds of flowers from Tabuk, Yanbu, Jazan, Madina Munawwara and Riyadh. Also was issued a perfumed miniature in the denomination of SR7, depicting the roses from Taif. Other countries that have released scented postage include Brazil (coffee), India (sandlewood) and Switzerland (chocolate).
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MR. POTATO HEAD AND THE POST OFFICE |
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Recent news report have announced that the Hasbro Company of Rhode Island is changing the brand names of the Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head toys and now will market them as just plain Potato Head. We haven't found a stamp yet featuring these iconic figures but the characters once did do an advertisement for the Post Office. Click here to view:potato.
REVENUE STAMP: The stamp to the left is a revenue stamp issued in 1935. Farmers that exceeded their federally established quotas were required to pay potato tax on the excess volume with the tax paid stamps. The tax amounted to 3/4 C. per pound of potatoes. These stamps were available and valid for such a short period of time (about two months) that they were never actually put into use. Note: The young woman featured is not of anyone in particular.
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BOOKS OF AN AUTHOR ON STAMPS IN CONTROVERSY
Recent news reports have announced that Six Dr. Seuss books — including “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran the Zoo” — will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the business that preserves and protects the author’s legacy said Tuesday.
“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press in a statement that coincided with the late author and illustrator’s birthday.
“Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families,” it said.
Dr. Seuss and his characters have appeared on several US stamps.
FREE BROCHURE - A few years ago the Museum exhibited stamps featuring authors who have had some of their books banned for various reasons. If you would like a copy, email to banned.
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A PHILATLEIC DITTY
Recently the APS email newsletter contained a link to a 1979 thirty minute television show called "Timbromannia" produced by a Pennsylvania TV station that gave a good overview of the hobby. (Timbre poste is French for postage stamp.) Actor Ernest Borgnine was the host. Although the people's clothing gives the show a dated feeling, the information is still relevant. Included in the opening was a short song about stamps sung to the tune of Camptown Races. Take a look: video
The first verse went like this:
Some people like to read a book
Do Da, Do Da
Some people like to sing and dance
We will stick to stamps
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POSTAL HISTORY TRIVIA QUESTION
On what building in Washington, D.C. can you find this poem of tribute to the Post Office written by Charles Eliot (pictured), a past president of Harvard? Send your answer to trivia. Same email if you want the answer.
Messenger of Sympathy and Love
Servant of Parted Friends
Consoler of the Lonely Bond of the Scattered Family
Enlarger of the Common Life
Carrier of News and Knowledge
Instrument of Trade and Industry
Promoter of Mutual Acquaintance
Of Peace and of Goodwill Among Men and Nations.
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STAMPS COME ALIVE PROGRAMS
COMING THIS FALL
The Museum recently received a grant from the Weston Cultural Council to help support the Museum's Stamps Come Alive programs. Once the Museum reopens a number, of programs are planned including one about birds by the Audubon Society, a performance by Sheryl Faye appe aring as Susan B. Anthony, a Clocks on Stamps evening with a clock expert who can people' can evaluate peoples' old clocks, the popular Live Owl program, and a talk on butterflies. All these program relate to subjects on stamps which will be on display.
Stay tuned for exact dates and times.
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TAKE OUR VIRTUAL TOURS
Have you taken our virtual tours of the Museum's main gallery and the exhibit on the celebration of the 19th amendment?
Click on our website to reach the YouTube links: tour
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CAN YOU GIVE US A HAND?
As we look forward to safely reopening the Museum, we have continued sharing our educational programs electronically and creating exhibits to be shared with all of our enthusiasts – ages 6-60 and 9-90! We thank all those who have already recently supported us.
We ask others of you if you can also please support our efforts by going to the bottom on our webpage (click webpage) and clicking on the donate button. A $50 contributionwill give you a one year individual membership.
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YOUTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP OPEN
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The Museum continues to offer a free, one year membership for children ages 6 to 16 in our Youth Club. Children receive a monthly packet of topical stamps, worksheets and philatelic information, a discount in the Museum store, a monthly stamp calendar plus free admission for themselves and the family. For more information email to Club.
Thanks go to Museum volunteers Jessica Leuscher and Erika Epstein for supervising this program
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FREE EDUCATIONAL CALENDAR
If you would like to receive our monthly calendar/almanac that features stamps which celebrate historic events of each weekday of the month, email to calendar. In 1918, Congress approved the start of Day Light-Saving Time.
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