"Canceled Culture: First Day Covers and Historic American Stamps" Opens May 31 in Stephan Archives

The Lawrenceville School’s Stephan Archives is getting an early start on the celebration of America’s 250^th anniversary with the exhibit "Canceled Culture: First Day Covers and Historic American Stamps."  Highlighting both the School's Stamp Club and American history, 97 First Day Covers courtesy of the family of Glen M. Mason (Class of 1961), will be displayed to the community in The Stephan Archives’ Reading Room (located in the Bunn Library) starting on May 31, 2024 through 2026.  In June 2025, historic stamps from the Robert N. Standish, Jr. (Class of 1944) bequest will be added to the exhibit. The exhibit will be open to the public during the Bunn Library’s normal business hours.

According to Stephan Archives Curator of Decorative Arts & Design Sarah Mezzino, one year before the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General for the Thirteen Colonies. Through deliberate actions and planning, Franklin helped to form the structural basis of what would eventually become the United States Postal Service.  In 1847, both he and George Washington were posthumously honored by having their images appear on the country's first postage stamps.  Unbeknownst to postal officials at that time, postage stamps would become an essential component of the mail system that documented and displayed numerous facets of the country’s history and culture. 

Stamps would also become collectible items coveted, studied, and exhibited by The Lawrenceville School's Stamp Club, which unofficially formed in around 1932 under the leadership of history teacher Jordan Combes Churchhill. Stamp collecting became so popular on campus that the club created a charter and became a School-sanctioned activity in 1947 and existed until 1974. 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.

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