We thank NobleSpirit of Pittsfield, NH for their support
of our events and programs.
If you would like to see more images of stamps celebrating the Olympics click Olympics.
HEAR FROM A STAMP DESIGNER

This pane of sixteen Forever stamps features eight unique designs illustrating a variety of backyard games — badminton, bocce, cornhole, croquet, flying disc, horseshoes, tetherball and a variation on pick-up baseball.
Each design emphasizes the movement of the game pieces, giving a dynamic quality to the artwork. Using a simplified style that evokes the nostalgic feeling of playing backyard games as a child, illustrator Mick Wiggins created the digital illustrations with the iconography of vintage sporting posters in mind.
The first day of issue ceremony will be held at the Great American Stamp Show 2021 in Rosemont Illinois on August 12.
Watch an interview with illustrator Mick Wiggins as he explains the three year evolution of these eights stamps including some legal issues that arose. Click on sports.
THIS MONTH'S TRIVIA QUESTION
What political controversy in Puerto Rico did this stamp cause when it was issued in 1949? Send your answer to trivia.
If you would like the answer, send your request to answer.
Last month's question asked "For what stamp were the two children of a former director of the Bureau of Engraving used as models?" The answer is the Arbor Day stamp of 1932.


VATICAN STAMP CAUSES CONTROVERSY
One night in early 2019, Rome street artist Alessia Babrow glued a stylized image of Christ she had made onto a bridge near the Vatican. A year later, she was shocked to learn that the Vatican had apparently used a reproduction of the image, which featured Babrow’s hallmark heart emblazoned across Christ’s chest, as its 2020 Easter postage stamp.
Babrow sued the Vatican city-state’s telecommunications office in a Rome court , alleging it was wrongfully profiting off her creativity and violating the intent of her artwork. The lawsuit, which is seeking nearly 130,000 euros ($160,000) in damages, said the Vatican never responded officially to Babrow’s attempts to negotiate a settlement after she discovered it had used her image without consent and sold it.
For the complete story about the stamp click Vatican.
STAMPS COME ALIVE PROGRAMS START IN OCTOBER
Our popular "Stamps Come Alive" programs which feature guest speakers on subjects featured on stamps will begin in October.
Speakers will include clock expert Robert Frishman on October 23 at 1:00 who will show clocks on stamps and give an informal evaluation of old clocks people bring with them.
Sheryl Faye will do her recreation of Susan B. Anthony also on October 23 at 10:30 to celebrate the anniversary of the 19th amendment.

Eyes on Owls will be back again with two shows of live owls on October 24 at 1:00 and 3:00
Debbie Lamb of Mass. Audubon will bring some animals from Drumlin Farm on October 16 at 10:30. The next day Joy Marzolf at 1:00 will share some of her special fuzzy friends.
Animal Adventures of Bolton will bring some exotic animals including an alligator on October 30 at 10:30. They will return on November 11 (a school holiday) at 10:30 to talk about dinosaurs including showing actual fossil bones plus several live reptiles.
Also in November a portrait artist is scheduled to talk about his craft with the date and time TBA.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS
More specific information will be posted on the Museum website at museum

AUGUST FREE OFFER OF FIRST DAY COVERS

If you would like to receive some free first day covers, just email your name and address to FDCs. Please also tell us what types of stamps or other philatelic material you collect.
AN ODE TO THE EARLY RURAL FREE DELIVERY
LETTER CARRIERS

This little ditty was published in the early 1900s as RFD was being instituted throughout the country.

A fierce and bitter storm's abroad
It is a bleak mid-winter's day
And slowly o'er the frozen sod
The postman's pony picks its way
The postman and his horse are cold
But fearlessly they face the gale:
Though storms increase a hundredfold
The farmer folk must have their mail
SCHOOL BELLS RING

August is National Back to School Month. We hope all students will be able to have their classes in person in their classrooms on opening day. The stamp on the left was issued on July 1, 1957 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Education Association (NEA).
POSTAL HISTORY ANNUAL
SYMPOSIUM SEPT. 9


The Museum will hold its ninth Postal History symposium/webinar with the theme War and Innovations: A Postal Perspective on September 9 from 8:00 to 10:00
Like last year, the program will be held virtually. The topics and speakers are: 
-Colonial Wars Leading to the American Revolution presented by Dr. Tim O’Connor,
-The Siege of Paris 1870-71 presented by Steven C. Walske and
-Medical Aspects of the Spanish American War given by Yamil H. Kouri, Jr.
The program is free but a registration is required. Reservations can be by sending an email the Museum at symposium.and the link will be sent to you.

The program is supported by NobleSpirit of Pittsfield, NH and The Collectors Club of New York.




GET YOUR FOREVER SAMPS NOW
SAVE THREE CENTS.

Have you heard? Postal rates are going up from fifty-five cents to fifty-eight cents on August 29
But remember, the Forever stamps you have now will still be good when the rates go up and you will not have to add any more postage to your letters.. The first Forever stamp in the US was issued in April, 2007 (pictured here) when a first-class letter cost forty-one cents to mail.
FREE MONTHLY STAMP ALMANAC/CALENDAR

Our free monthly stamp almanac/calendar is still available for anyone interested. It features stamps which celebrate specific events and people associated with each weekday of the month. To receive a monthly mailing, just email to calendar. On August 7, 1782, George Washington as commander of the Continental Army created the Purple Heart medal, originally named the Badge of Military Merit.
SCOUT PROGRAMS TO BEGIN AGAIN

With the Museum's reopening, merit badge programs for Boy, Girl and Cub Scouts will be starting. If you are interested in having your scout participate, please email for more information to scouts.
ZOOM AND LIVE PROGRAMS STILL AVAILABLE

Our one hour PowerPoint program entitled "Pushing the Envelope - A History of the US Post Office Through Stamps" is still available for presentation at libraries, senior centers, stamp clubs and other adult groups. Another Zoom program entitled "Medicine on Stamps" is also available for presentation.
For institutions that are starting to have live programs again, Education Director Henry Lukas can visit to present the program. For more details email to zoom.
YOUTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP OPEN 
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
CAN YOU GIVE US A HAND?

Although we have been closed, we have still continued sharing our educational programs electronically and creating exhibits to be shared with all of our enthusiasts, young and old. 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 top of our webpage (click webpage) and clicking on the donate button. A $50 contribution will give you a one year individual membership.
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