America's Libraries 1731-1920
Philatelic Exhibit Synopsis

Note:  An exhibit synopsis is provided to the judges of philatelic exhibits to provide additional information to assist them in evaluating the exhibit.

This Display Division exhibit tells the story of America's libraries during the period 1731-1920 using stamps, covers, and other paper artifacts.

Development of the Story

I have chosen to restrict the story of America’s Libraries to the period 1731-1920. The year 1731 is the date that Benjamin Franklin helped to found the Library Company of Philadelphia. Prior to that date there were only a handful of libraries that were not private or personal. The year 1920 follows the conclusion of World War I, the active period in which Andrew Carnegie donated hundreds of libraries throughout the country, and the most active decade for the establishment of new libraries in our country’s history. I have divided the exhibit into components which vary in length from 4 pages to 16 pages. These components relate primarily to the types of libraries in America or to other significant, well defined library topics. In addition to telling the story of America’s libraries, the exhibit also illustrates how America’s libraries used the mail to conduct day-to-day business throughout their history. This aspect of the exhibit has become increasingly more important.

Composition of Material Presented

I have assembled the items in the exhibit over a twelve year period of aggressive collecting. Many of the items in the exhibit have been difficult to acquire. With a few exceptions, all of the material included in the exhibit is from the period prior to 1920. A considerable portion of the material is from the 19th century.

The exhibit takes full advantage of the ability in a Display Division exhibit to include items which are allowed in all APS exhibiting Divisions. These items include corner cards, illustrated covers, Cinderellas, and revenue stamps. I feel that a major strength of my exhibit is the inclusion of many covers which have actually been used by libraries to conduct library business. These covers not only help tell the story of America’s libraries, but are actual artifacts of both library history and postal history.

A major aspect of a Display exhibit is the ability to incorporate collateral or non-philatelic material into an exhibit. I have tried to incorporate such material judiciously into the exhibit. These items include library membership and stock certificates, picture postcards, letters, library cards, and a few miscellaneous items.

Elusive Material

The major value of this exhibit lies in the totality of the items included in the exhibit. Although there are items in the exhibit that are significant because of their philatelic status, the most important items are those that have a direct connection to library history. There are many items that fit into this category. They include covers that have been sent to or are from some of the great American librarians of the 19th and early 20th century. They include covers that demonstrate how small and large libraries used mail to provide the best possible library service to the American people. Because of the emphasis of the exhibit on library postal history I have chosen not to highlight significant philatelic items within the exhibit. Some of these items are listed below.

The material in the “Mercantile Libraries” component of the exhibit is especially strong. In particular the delivery stamps of the New York Mercantile Library Association are of note. Information on these unique stamps can be found in an article, of which I am a joint author, in the August 2005 issue of the Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues. Information on these stamps is also located in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of U. S. Stamps & Covers in the local stamps section (105L1-105L6).

Because postal cards were a major tool for conducting library business, there are examples of many postal card issues. There are a number of examples of the first “library card” UX15 with library usage. The civic advertising covers included in the exhibit are not common and have been challenging to assemble. The World War I American Library Association covers mailed from Germany to the U.S. are scarce.

Of the collateral non-philatelic material included in the exhibit, the library membership certificates are especially noteworthy. The World War I postcard from the American Library Association in Siberia is scarce (only nine known to exist). Other ALA World War I postcards are uncommon.

Knowledge and Personal Study

In developing this exhibit, I have undertaken extensive research on library history, postal history, and the history of individual stamps and covers. The diversity of philatelic material in the exhibit has challenged me to learn about philatelic topics ranging from military postal history to carriers and locals to official and penalty mail to meter mail to First Day Covers. The research related to the importance of mail in the history of libraries and how libraries used the mail has been rewarding. I have done extensive research on the New York Mercantile Library and its delivery stamps which has resulted in the publication of two articles on this topic.

Condition

Although I have tried to assemble material in the best condition possible, many of the items are one of a kind or have been included because they are the only items available to illustrate a particular library or type of library. Historical importance has taken precedence over condition.

Presentation

I utilize computer generated borders around most of the items in the exhibit. Although the matting of items has come to be the standard in thematic exhibiting, the use of computer generated borders allows me the flexibility to easily update and rearrange my exhibit. The textual narrative used to tell the story of America’s libraries varies in length depending of the individual item which is being used to illustrate the story. The narrative elements, by design, vary in scope depending on the item or topic discussed. I feel that because of the nature of the exhibit a longer narrative is sometimes warranted.