BGuthrie Photos: DC -- Natl Postal Museum -- Exhibit (Gross Gallery 1): World of Stamps

DC -- Natl Postal Museum -- Exhibit (Gross Gallery 1): World of Stamps:

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[1] STAMPW_131026_001.JPG	[2] STAMPW_131026_005.JPG	[3] STAMPW_131026_012.JPG
[4] STAMPW_131026_016.JPG	[5] STAMPW_131026_022.JPG	[6] STAMPW_131026_028.JPG
[7] STAMPW_131026_032.JPG	[8] STAMPW_131026_034.JPG	[9] STAMPW_131026_040.JPG
[10] STAMPW_131026_044.JPG	[11] STAMPW_131026_045.JPG	[12] STAMPW_131026_049.JPG
[13] STAMPW_131026_051.JPG	[14] STAMPW_131026_053.JPG	[15] STAMPW_131026_057.JPG
[16] STAMPW_131026_060.JPG	[17] STAMPW_131026_063.JPG	[18] STAMPW_131026_067.JPG
[19] STAMPW_131026_068.JPG	[20] STAMPW_131026_071.JPG	[21] STAMPW_131026_075.JPG
[22] STAMPW_131026_083.JPG	[23] STAMPW_131026_086.JPG	[24] STAMPW_131026_089.JPG
[25] STAMPW_131026_095.JPG	[26] STAMPW_131026_098.JPG	[27] STAMPW_131026_102.JPG

Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. STAMPW_131026_005.JPG: William H. Gross Stamp Gallery Every stamp tells a story. Come discover the amazing stories that unfold from world-renowned collections here at the National Postal Museum. Admire the beauty of stamps, and see how they change over time. Learn about the many ways stamps have touched people's lives, and explore your own connections with them.
2. STAMPW_131026_016.JPG: World of Stamps: What you find may surprise you. Since the first stamps appeared in 1840, these illustrated pieces of gummed paper have provided gateways to history, geography, biography, science, music, art, and more. Stamps represent every nation on Earth and reflect innovations in design, printing, and transportation. These are stories for everyone in the world of stamps. Who Invented the Stamp? The idea came from a former schoolteacher named Rowland Hill. In 1837 Hill published a pamphlet entitled Post Office Reform: Its Importance and Practicality. In this document, Hill recommended that postal fees be prepaid with "a bit of paper... covered at the back with a glutinous wash." The British government incorporated Hill's idea in the British postal reforms of 1839. What is a Stamp? A postage stamp provides official evidence that the sender has paid for postal services. Historically made of paper, ink, and gum, stamps are designed to be fixed to a piece of mail. Perforations or die cuts allow stamps to be separated easily from each other. Stamps usually include the country's name, postage value, and an image. The beauty and historical significance of these images inspire many people to collect stamps.
3. STAMPW_131026_022.JPG: The Stamp Makes Its Debut: On May 1, 1840, Great Britain issued the world's first postage stamp: the Penny Black. it revolutionized postal services worldwide. Before postage stamps, mail recipients usually paid the postal fees. Sometimes they refused to pay. Fees often varied according to distance within a single country. With the Penny Black, mail could be sent anywhere in the United Kingdom for a standard fee. Senders prepaid the fee; the stamp provided proof of payment. The postage stamp was very popular with the British people. Use of the mails soared.
4. STAMPW_131026_032.JPG: See the World's First Postage Stamp!
5. STAMPW_131026_034.JPG: First US Stamps, 1847
6. STAMPW_131026_040.JPG: The Idea Catches On: Other nations soon began issuing their own stamps. Rowland Hill's adhesive stamps saved money and were easy to use. By 1850 seven countries other than Great Britain were using stamps to signify prepayment of postage. The stamps reproduced here can be viewed in the "Stamps Around the Globe" exhibit. Most early stamps featured images of famous leaders or numbers representing fees paid. Within the next century, the diversity of topics expanded rapidly.
7. STAMPW_131026_051.JPG: What Stories Do Stamps Tell? Stamps illustrate almost every subject imaginable -- from history to science to popular culture. Images of stamps have influenced the course of history and honored people and places around the world. They have drawn attention to social issues and raised money for important causes. Stamps also contain clues to their production and use -- recording important changes in design, technology, and communications. Every stamp tells multiple stories.
8. STAMPW_131026_053.JPG: Struggle for Social Justice 1999: The "I Have a Dream" speech commemorated on this stamp was a defining moment of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Issued on September 17, 1999, the stamp shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the August 28, 1963, "March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom." Hundreds of thousands of people surrounded the Reflecting Pool. Dr. King's speech calling for racial equality and an end to discrimination is regarded by many as one of the greatest speeches in human history. 1998: Breast Cancer Research. This is the first US stamp ever designed and used to raise money for a health issue. The semi-postal stamp, which its bold call to action, was issued at a White House ceremony on July 29, 1998. Its purchase price includes a surcharge to support breast cancer research. The stamp's designer, Ethel Kessler, was a breast cancer survivor. Illustrator Whitney Sherman created the dramatic image of a mythical goddess of the hunt. As of 2013, the stamp had raised over $76 million for breast cancer research.
9. STAMPW_131026_063.JPG: 1993 Elvis The King of Rock & Roll adorns the top-selling postage stamp in US history. Issued on Elvis Presley's 58th birthday (January 8, 1993) at his Graceland mansion, this stamp was part of the Legends in American Music Series. The US Postal Service invited the public to vote on two proposed designs by artist Mark Stutzman. More than 75 percent of voters selected this design, which shows Elvis preforming early in his career. The Postal Service sold more than 517 million Elvis Presley stamps. 1979: Olympic Boycott: Six stamps became embroiled in a political boycott of the 1980 Olympics. In 1979 the US Postal Service announced six new stamps to honor the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. Then the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. President Carter decided that the United States would boycott the Moscow games in protest. In March 1980, the Postmaster General announced that the USPS would withdraw the Olympic stamps from sale. The announcement set off a buying frenzy. Financial speculation ended when the stamps were re-released on August 6.
10. STAMPW_131026_071.JPG: 1945: Military Achievement: Hundreds of US soldiers march through the Arc de Triumphe in Paris following the liberation of France during World War II. Issued on September 28, 1945, shortly after the war's end, this stamp honors US Army achievements during World War II. It is based on an actual photograph. The designer made several changes to the original image, including the addition of airplanes flying overhead to pay tribute to the Army Air Corps. In keeping with accepted standards, he also took care not to portray any recognizable features of living individuals. 1971: Birth of the USPS: This dramatic profile of an eagle about to take flight became the seat of the US Postal Service (USPS) in 1971. The USPS came into being that same year, replacing the US Post Office Department. The USPS hired a famous industrial designer, Raymond Loewy, to design a deal that would replace the one featuring a horse and rider. To celebrate the reform and inaugurate the USPS, President Nixon proclaimed July 1 National Postal Service Day. On that day this stamp was released across the country.
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Description of Subject Matter: World of Stamps
September 22, 2013 – Permanent
Encounter the world’s first postage stamp—the 1840 Penny Black, with its profile of young Queen Victoria—and learn how it revolutionized communication. Learn how stamps have shaped history and honored people and places around the world. See stamp images, including those depicting the Nicaraguan volcano that influenced the location of the Panama Canal and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, as well as the the top-selling 1993 Elvis and breast cancer research stamps.
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