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

Introduction to the Third SymposiumThe 2008 Winton M. Blount Postal History Symposium, jointly sponsoredby the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, the American PhilatelicSociety, and the American Philatelic Research Library, was held in Washington,D.C. on September 26–27, 2008. It was the third annual national conferencefor academic scholars, philatelists, and industry experts on the discussionof research into the history of postal organizations and systems.The theme was “When the Mail Goes to War,” broadly interpreted to includeeverything related to defense and the postal system in all countries anderas. Postal topics are usually framed in peaceful terms: mail “binds the nationtogether” by enabling commerce and encouraging technological development,while stamps are “works of art in miniature” or “little paper ambassadors” ofnational cultures and achievements. Often overlooked is the fact that when anation goes to war, its stamps and postal system are always an integral part ofthe mobilization as well as the relief effort.There were twenty papers presented, four of which are included here. RobertCullen discusses “Winning on the Home Front” in his paper “Food WillWin the War: Motor Trucks and the Farm-To-Table Postal Delivery Program1917–1918.” Ann Phau, New York State Museum, discusses “Examining CensorshipDue to War” in her paper “Postal Censorship and Military Intelligenceduring World War II.” Janet Klug, past president of the American PhilatelicSociety, discusses “Analyzing Logistics and Systems in Adversity” in her paper“Picking Up the Pieces: The Aftermath of Hiroshima.” Robin Gates Elliott,National Postal Museum, discusses “Interpreting Propaganda and the Post” inher paper “Philatelic Propaganda: A Case Study—Border Changes in EasternEurope, 1938–1941.”