"Canceled Culture: First Day Covers and Historic American Stamps" on Display Bunn Library

The Lawrenceville School’s Stephan Archives continues its early celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with the second part of the exhibit "Canceled Culture: First Day Covers and Historic American Stamps." The exhibit will be on display in the Bunn Library Reading Room from May 30, 2025-April 2027 during the Library’s regular operating hours.

The exhibit highlights both the School's Stamp Club and American history, featuring 97 First Day Covers courtesy of the family of Glen M. Mason (Class of 1961) along with 38 commemorative state stamps from the Robert N. Standish, Jr. (Class of 1944) collection.

Lawrenceville’s Stamp Club was unofficially formed in around 1932 under the leadership of history instructor Jordan Combes Churchill, who taught at the school from 1930-36. Stamp collecting became so popular on campus that the club created a charter and became a School-sanctioned activity from 1947-74. The charter stipulated that the club would host a stamp auction each month, invite speakers, and go on off-campus field trips. Their efforts were recognized in 1951 when The Lawrenceville School’s Stamp Club joined the National Federation of Stamp Clubs.

One of the club’s highest achievements was the creation of a post office-sanctioned cancellation slogan. Prompted by the School’s 150th anniversary, the cancellation slogan was a rubber stamp designed by club member William “Nold” Birch, Jr. (Class of 1960) The slogan was employed at the Lawrenceville post office during the month of May and one thousand parcels featuring the cancellation were known to have been acquired by philatelists world-wide. 

The above photo is of The Lawrenceville School's 1948 Stamp Club.

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.