At this time, we would like to formally announce a Call for Papers for the Thirteenth Postal History Symposium to be held November 15-16, 2024, at the American Philatelic Center (APC) in Bellefonte, PA. The Postal History Symposium is a biennial event jointly sponsored by the American Philatelic Research Library, the American Philatelic Society and the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum. The 2024 event will also be co-sponsored by the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society and the Collectors Club of Chicago.
The symposium provides a unique forum for philatelists, academic scholars, postal historians, and the interested public to discuss and present research that integrates philately into the broader context of world history. The 2024 symposium will be both an in-person and virtual event as attendees can either participate in-person at the APC or access the sessions virtually. We strongly encourage presenters to attend in person if possible, however arrangements can be made for remote presentations.
We invite those who wish to present at the 2024 Postal History Symposium to read the following Call for Papers to submit a proposal and participate. A pdf version of the Call for Papers is also available HERE.
Call for Papers
The Thirteenth Postal History Symposium
November 15-16, 2024
American Philatelic Center
Bellefonte, PA
THEME: The Universal Postal Union: Connecting the World by Mail
Sponsored by
American Philatelic Society, American Philatelic Research Library,
Smithsonian National Postal Museum,
U.S. Philatelic Classics Society and Collectors Club of Chicago
The Treaty of Berne, officially signed in October 1874, established the General Postal Union, marking the most significant moment in the history of collaborative international mail service. Renamed the Universal Postal Union in 1878, the multinational organization sought to standardize disparate international mail operations while concomitantly establishing uniform postal rates. From 22 attending nations in 1874 to the 192 member countries of today, the impact of the UPU as a unifying organization providing universal regulations governing the delivery of mail worldwide is evidenced in the events that lead to its formation and those that have followed since. Now, 150 years on, the UPU stands as one of the most enduring examples of cooperative international relations, and the only one dedicated exclusively to the business of mail.
Possible themes include:
Economic, political and technical conditions that led to the need for a unifying postal entity.
How has the organization evolved since its creation.
Has the multinational organization met the continuing needs of disparate postal administrations.
Impact on the mail operations within and between member countries.
Universal postal regulations and legislation as they relate to the diversity of postal users.
How has the UPU affected the politics of international mail operations.
Mail as a unifying catalyst of international relations.
Deadlines for proposals:
A one-page proposal and CV are due June 17, 2024. In addition to a one-page proposal stating the question/s to be answered, the basic argument, and the source base, each individual should submit a one-page curriculum vitae that includes contact information (e-mail, phone, address) to symposium@stamps.org.
Notification of acceptance will be made on or about July 1, 2024. Although we are planning to hold the event in person, sessions will be available for viewing from home. Presentations and abstracts will be available online after the event. Presenters should plan to attend the event in person.
Papers due by September 16, 2024. Accepted proposals must result in papers of 5,000-6,000 words, including bibliographic material and citations. Event organizers are hoping presenters will consider the symposium an opportunity to receive feedback on their papers/presentations and are willing to facilitate the placement of publications in postal history and philatelic journals.
For more information and updates regarding the 2024 Postal History Symposium, please see the Postal History Symposium page on the American Philatelic Society’s website or contact event organizers at symposium@stamps.org.
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