Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Explore America's postal history and philately from colonial times to the present.
Objects displayed in the
museum's various exhibits document the history of the U.S. postal
service and showcase the beauty and lore of stamps. Thousands of objects
are on display in the museum, each offering visitors a chance to see
"the real thing."
Washington City Post Office Historic Lobby, National Postal Museum (1914-09-14) by D.H. Burnham & Co.Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Enter Smithsonian's National Postal Museum through the Historic Lobby of Washington, D.C.'s Main Post Office.
William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, National Postal Museum (2013-09-22)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
The William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, named after its primary benefactor, is the world’s largest gallery dedicated to philately.
24c "Inverted Jenny" block of four stamps (1918)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
"Inverted Jenny" Block of Four
One of the most iconic and recognizable stamp errors ever discovered is the 1918 24c "Inverted Jenny" air post stamp. In 1918 the Post Office issued its first air mail postage stamp, to promote the newly established air mail service. A special 24c stamp was prepared, depicting the "Curtiss Jenny" biplane in the center in blue, surrounded by a red frame. One sheet of 100 stamps was discovered with all of the stamps within the sheet having had the blue biplane in the center printed upside down.
From the original sheet of 100, only six blocks of four still exist - four of which are contained within the William Gross collection. He has loaned one of these spectacular blocks of four, the unique left sheet margin block of four (positions 41-42/51-52) to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
Loan from William H. Gross.
1p Stamp Act of 1765 proof - This stamp is one of 32 surviving red proofs of the 1765 Stamp Act. (1765) by Great BritainSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
Stamp Act of 1765 Proof
In 1765 the British Parliament passed an act commonly called The Stamp Act that infuriated American colonists. Resisting the Act was the first incremental step on the road to the American Revolution. Cries of “taxation without representation” and attacks on stamp agents led to the repeal of the Act on March 18, 1766.
Titanic Sea Post Clerk John Starr March's body was recovered at sea following the disaster. His effects, returned to his grieving daughters, included his gold watch.
Hope Diamond package (1958-11-08) by Harry WinstonSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
This mailing wrapper contained the rare gem, the "Hope Diamond," when it was sent by Harry Winston to the Smithsonian in 1958. Winston routinely used the mails to deliver valuable material.
The Atrium, National Postal Museum (1914)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
As visitors descend the escalators to the Atrium, they are greeted by the splendor of marble floors and a magnificent 90-foot-high skylight ceiling.
The Post Office Department relied on its fleet of de Havilland mail airplanes for carrying the mail during the airmail service’s nine year-long existence. (Loan from the National Air and Space Museum)
The Atrium, National Postal Museum (1914)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
In order to keep mail flying around the clock, the postal service had to ensure the safety and success of night flight. (Loan from the National Air and Space Museum)
Amelia Earhart's Flight Suit
This famous female pilot broke flying records in the air, and while on the ground she shared her stamp and cover collection. You can see relics from both parts of her life displayed here, on the touch screen interactive and in the adjacent cases. The flight suit kept her warm and safe on her adventures. The envelopes with special cancels, carried aboard those flights, instantly created a collectable desired by stamp experts. They pre-paid for the envelopes flown aboard her plane which she would postmark with the dates of the flight.
The airplanes used for early airmail service had open cockpits, which left pilots exposed to frigid temperatures. Pilots were often ordered to fly, regardless of weather, making these flight suits critical pieces of equipment.
Concord-style mail coach (circa 1851) by Lewis S. Downing and J. Stephen AbbottSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
Coach makers J. Stephen Abbot and Lewis Downing wanted to create stagecoaches that not only offered comfortable rides, but vehicles that could elegantly stand out on America’s roads.
Alaskan dog sled (circa 1922)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Contract mail carrier Ed Biederman used this dog sled for his 160-mile route in Alaska. In 1935 frostbite crippled Biederman when his feet froze while moving through a river overflow.
Owney was the canine mascot of the Railway Mail Service in the late 19th century. To mark the dog's frequent travels, postal clerks attached tags to Owney's collar.
Railway post office car reproductionSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
Sorting mail on moving trains was one of the postal service’s great innovations. After the Civil War, Post Office officials worked to decentralize operations.
Behind this iron crane is a story of “mail on the fly”. Mail clerks used special catcher arms attached to the side of railway mail cars to snatch the suspended mail pouch in the blink of an eye.
The George Law ship model (1993) by Smithsonian's Office of Exhibits CentralSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
This model represents the Central America steamer, originally named SS George Law. It, with 423 passengers and crew, tons of mail and freight, and over $1 million in gold, sunk on September 12, 1857.
John T. Jackson's counter-top post office unit (circa 1891)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
John T. Jackson's Distribution Case
On April 1, 1891 John T. Jackson became the postmaster of Alanthus, Virginia. When he began his career, the twenty-nine year old was greeted with threats from those unwilling to accept an African-American in that position. He remained in his job for 49 years, retiring in 1940.
Victory Mail, more commonly known as V-Mail, operated during World War II to expedite mail service for American armed forces overseas.
Vietnam War audio correspondence (March 1969) by U.S. Army Private Frank A. KowalczykSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
Open reel audio tape sent home by Private First Class Frank Kowalczyk in 1969.
This registration handstamp was one of six post-marking devices recovered from the U.S.S. Oklahoma. It is dated “Dec. 6 1941” the last day it was used.
Pneumatic tube canister (1953)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Networks of pneumatic tubes speeded mail beneath city streets beginning in the 1890s. Pneumatic carriers holding 600 letters traveled at about 35 miles per hour. The tubes were introduced in 1893.
Wagons carried mail between railway stations and post offices. Screen wagons, introduced in 1886, increased security as the mail moved between post offices, railroad stations, and steamboat landings.
By the 1850s, adhesive postage stamps were available, and people no longer needed to go to the post office to mail letters. They could keep stamps at home and mail letters at their leisure.
Handcuffs used during arrest of Unabomber Theodore J. Kaczynski (1996-04-03)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Members of the UNABOM Task Force placed these cuffs on Kaczynski when they captured him in a shack near Lincoln, Montana, on April 3, 1996.
Mr. Zap hand puppet (1979)Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Mr. Zap Puppet
The Elwood P. Zap puppet had a brief career. His character appeared at a series of five professional conferences in 1979 to teach employees and business mail representatives about postal crimes, safety and security. The programming around the puppet represents one of the Postal Inspection Service's many educational initiatives.
Discover these items and many more at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum, where there is always something new to see and learn.
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