The Winton M. Blount Postal History Symposia - Smithsonian ...

Introduction to the Fourth SymposiumThe fourth annual postal history symposium, sponsored by the SmithsonianNational Postal Museum, the American Philatelic Society, andthe American Philatelic Research Library, was held in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania,at the American Philatelic Center on October 30 and November 1,2009. The theme was “Post Office Reform,” bringing together collectors of classicstamps with scholars, academicians, and public historians to examine thesehighly collectable cultural objects through the lens of the post office reformsthat gave rise to them. The introduction of postage stamps in 1840 representeda complete overhaul in the organization and operating principles of the BritishPost Office. The subsequent rapid introduction of stamps to nearly every countryin the world before the end of the nineteenth century is tangible evidence ofthe worldwide adoption of similar post office reforms.The keynote address, “The Political Economy of Postal Reform in the VictorianAge,” was delivered by Richard John, Ph.D., professor of history andadjunct professor of communication at the University of Illinois, Chicago, andcan be read starting on page 3. There were twelve papers, seven of which areincluded here.The first panel was on “Early Reform,” and Larry Lyons presented his paper“America’s First Carrier Service the U.S. City Despatch Post Government CarrierService in New York August 16, 1842–November 28, 1846.” Harvey Mirsky alsodiscusses in his paper “The U.S. 1847 Issue: Stamps That Changed the System.”The second panel highlighted “Post Office Reformers,” and three papers werepresented. Diane DeBlois and Richard Dalton Harris, presented “The Sunday MailControversy Paves the Way of Postal Reform.” David L. Straight, Washington University(St. Louis), presented his paper “Cheap Postage, A Tool for Social Reform.”Rachel A. Moore, Clemson University, presented “From the Pulpit to the Post:Anti-clericalism and Communication in Orizaba, 1857–1867.”The third panel was on “Reform Icons and Collectibles,” and Catherine J.Golden, Skidmore College, presented her paper “Why Is a Raven Like a WritingDesk?—Post Office Reform, Collectible Commodities, and Victorian Culture.”The fourth panel continued the discussion on “Postal Reform.” Harry K.Charles, Jr., The Johns Hopkins University, presented “The 1895 Provisionaland Bisect Postage Due Stamps: A Result of the Transfer of the Stamp Productionto BEP.”