A Vintage Stamp Ad: Sanitary Postage Association Of America

In reading an on-line copy of an old National Association of Retail Druggists trade publication, I came across this vintage ad dating to 1919 and thought I'd post it:



Although this ad is dating back 92 years, it is not as old fashioned as we might think given the US Postal Service is now trying to encourage local merchants (including drug stores) to provide postal services so as to enable the closure of limited use post offices throughout the country.

This label is allegedly from a Schermack Stamp Machine:

In continuing to go through the same publication recited above, I came across this competitor's model:

Reading that makes me think you might find them under the sink in the bathroom...lol Seriously though I have never heard of that EVER! I do have a sanitary commission revenue stamp someplace but doubtful it's related. Makes me wonder if this had to do with that Spanish influenza of the early part of the century or the Tuberculosis issues of the time?

Very likely indeed, as this was taken from a Druggist Trade Publication from 1919-1920. The Great Influenza outbreak of 1918 was probably very much vivid in everyone's mind that anything that would be construed to protect the general public (including these stamp machines) would be promoted with great enthusiasm.

[Edit] I just found this excerpt from a US Investor Magazine dated from the 1919 period that attempts to further explain the concept: