Owney, The Beloved Mail Mascot

When I received my July Linn's stamp news I jump on this story. It's an amazing true story of a dog on duty who keep mailbags and travel across the continent. Owney is a legend not to forget he will have his own forever stamp and it look beautiful.

I suspect it's going to be a popular issue. There are a number of cities already announcing special "first day of sale" cancellations with special cartoon-like designs commemorating this RPO mascot.

I am sure many RPO collectors, rail museums, and railroad fans will be interested in this release. I know I am. Owney was looking a bit ragged when I saw him in 2006, glad to read that he was recently groomed and ready for his big moment.

Hey Stamperdude,

I was just thinking about you last night. I did a little research and found out the Owney stopped at a couple of places along Route 66- Gallup, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Pontiac, and Chicago. (I hope I didn't miss any). I was trying to figure out a way to incorporate that into a cover for you and I will get it cancelled in DC at the FDC. Let me know if you would be interested in this and if you have any other ideas.

Just for the record, I know it wasn't Route 66 back then. I don't know if this is stretching things too much to fit in your topic or not!

Thought some might enjoy this article from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of April 9, 1894, when Owney was still around:

thank you all for your contributions. And a special thanks to scf journalist wt1. I will read the article tomorrow my friend will arrive soon. He use to be a philatelist when he was young. He's always willing to talk about stamps.

For anyone interested in the First Day of Issue Program for Owney the Postal Dog, here it is:

wt1
Great!

Has anyone gone through the Owney Resource Page offered at APS? There are sample cacheted covers, lists and maps of all the places in the world Owney visited, as well as books and lesson plans for kids to explain the popularity of Owney. Nice information, and best of all, it's free:

http://www.stamps.org/cac/owney/index.htm

Did anyone get their Owney stamps at the post office today?

Yep, got a sheetlet. I am partial to dogs and love the stamp.

The Owney first day ceremony was very nice and well attended.

Owney was nice and spiffed up after a long and extensive spa treatment.

The stamp designer, Mr. Bond:





And the star of the show, Owney:

spanish
Great picture of Owney. The magic of taxidermy.

He even got his nails done.

Great pics! I did pick up 2 sheets on the FD and have 1 blank cover serviced for myself. I will probably send it off for a second postmark, if I get it back in time maybe I'll send it off for another after that. Kinda like Owney himself making the rounds on the rail.

I guess this is about as close to immortality as a little dog can get.