The Eleventh Postal History Symposium
Postal Innovation of the Classic Era: Evolution Leading to Modernization
October 26-30, 2020
To overcome the health and safety concerns of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Postal History Symposium will be held virtually. The biennial event, jointly hosted by the American Philatelic Research Library and the National Postal Museum, was initially scheduled for October 30-31, 2020, at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, PA. Along with the events, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society co-sponsor of the 2020 symposium and the American Philatelic Society will be providing a full list of speakers under the Symposium’s theme, “Postal Innovation of the Classic Era: Evolution Leading to Modernization.”
New Virtual Postal History Symposium Details
New Date: October 26-30, 2020
Keynote Speaker
Scott Trepel
President, Robert A. Siegel Auctions
Confirmed Speakers:
- Scott Trepel - Keynote: Postal Innovation of the Classic Era
- Diane DeBlois and Robert Dalton Harris: The “Special” Postalization of Locale
- William DeWitt: Evolution of Intercity Mail Transportation Modes 1840-1880: Insights from Postmaster General Annual Reports
- Gordon Eubanks: Postal History of the Issue of 1847
- Anthony Gallagher: The British Colonial Post Office Controversy | A Letter from the American Revolution
- Fred Gregory: Government Post in Hawaii: Creation and Reform – 1849 - 1859
- Yamil Kouri: U.S. Post Riders in Spanish West Florida, 1801-1810
- Ken Lawrence: Mails of Navassa Island, the Original Overseas United States Possession, 1876-1898
- Jim Milgram: Early Railroads Carry the Mail
- Tim O’Connor: Rise of the American Post 1639-1776
- William Schultz: Toll Gates & Toll Houses: Assistance or Hindrance for Mail Delivery Modes
- Mark Schwartz: The New York Postmaster Provisional
- Steve Walske: Blazing Trails for the Westward Expansion
Virtual Exhibits Sponsored by the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society
Attendees will have direct access to the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society website to many of the best exhibits of classic material, including some recently added specifically for this event.
As further activities, scheduling, and registration for the Symposium become finalized, they will be announced on both the Postal History Symposium page https://stamps.org/postal-history-symposium] and the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society [https://www.uspcs.org/].
CALL FOR PAPERS
October 30-31, 2020
American Philatelic Center, American Philatelic Society
Bellefonte, PA
SYMPOSIUM THEME:
Postal Innovation of the Classic Era - Evolution Leading to Modernization
From the earliest days of philately in the United States, the Classic Era of American postal history has come to define one of the greatest periods of postal innovation. From the time of stampless delivery, whose cost was borne by the recipient, to pre-paid letters carried by private mail carriers and provisional post offices, culminating in a preliminary system of universal prepayment requiring the creation, issuance and application of postage stamps, this era of American postal history was replete with many significant innovators and innovation that lead in time to the development and growth of a formalized modern postal system. Along with the United States, many other countries played an equally important role in the evolution and progress of postal history with creators and ideas that greatly contributed and furthered postal development into the modern age.
Deadlines for proposals:
One-page proposal and CV due May 15, 2020. In addition to a one-page proposal, each individual should submit a one-page curriculum vitae with contact information (e-mail, phone, address) to stiffney@stamps.org.
Notification of acceptance will be mailed on or about May 29, 2019.
Papers are due by September 1, 2020. Accepted proposals must result in papers of 3000-4000 words, including bibliographic material, citations, and image titles. The articles must be formatted according to the guidelines of the United States Philatelic Classics Society. Images should be placed and discussed within the text and image permissions must be acquired. Writers will have the opportunity to revise their papers after the symposium and before papers are considered for publication by either the USPCS or the APS.
For more information and updates regarding the 2020 Postal History Symposium please see the Postal History Symposium web page on the APS website.
Possible topics include:
- Delivery modes and methods
- Early mechanization
- Development of postal service
- Postal routes
- Types of early philatelic production
- Postal inventions and inventors
