Every Stamp Tells a Story

Description

Every stamp and piece of mail tells a story. In fact, each often tells multiple stories, ranging from concept to art design to production to usage, often with tales of politics, history, technology, biography, genealogy, economics, geography, disaster, and triumph. The lens of philately offers a fresh and engaging story of American history, culture, and identity, and it can also help deepen the understanding of world cultures. The William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, opened at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in September 2013, has many such stories to tell. Chief philately curator Cheryl R. Ganz guides readers through some of the gallery’s nearly 20,000 objects that together illustrate the history of our nation’s postal operations and postage stamps.”This first-class production is a salute to some of the finest philatelic holdings in the United States National Philatelic Collection.” – Airpost Journal

“To say this is a lavishly illustrated book is putting it mildly and all your favorite treasures such as sheet proofs of the 1918 Jenny, Titanic and Hindenburg mail, Persian rug revenues, etc. are there. Surely some new discoveries await you in this garden… there are undoubtedly gaps in your mental database that this book can help fill. Other favorable reviewers in the philatelic press have so far recommended that you buy this book but I say no. Buy two! Think gift.” – K. David Steidley, Collectors Club Philatelist

“While this book is a wonderful introduction the museum, this does not mean you should not make the effort to see the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum for yourself. It is not a replacement for that experience. Consider it a delightful teaser.” – Patricia A. Kaufmann, The American Stamp Dealer & Collector

“I find Every Stamp Tells a Story an entertaining pick-me-up. Consider purchasing a copy the next time you visit the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC.” – Charles Snee, Linn’s Stamp News

“This well-produced book provides an interesting description of the development of the United States Postal Service and the National Stamp Collection as seen through US stamps.” – London Philatelist

“This book can be useful for most collectors and others interested in the history of communication” – The United States SpecialistCheryl R. Ganz is curator emerita of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and was lead curator of the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery. Ganz earned her PhD in history from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her book The 1933 Chicago World’s Fair: A Century of Progress earned the Smithsonian Secretary’s Research Prize in 2011. Her areas of expertise are zeppelin posts, Great Depression, and world’s fairs.

M. T. Sheahan is a script writer and editor for Smithsonian Institution, National Postal Museum exhibits and its website. She earned her PhD in history from Northern Illinois University. Working with philatelic curators Ganz and Piazza, she has worked on Delivering Hope: FDR & Stamps of the Great Depression, Collecting History: 125 Years of the National Philatelic Collection, Fire & Ice: Hindenburg and Titanic, Favorite Finds, and the National Stamp Collection.US