A Newspaper Page Devoted To Stamp Collecting (1942)

Most of us are probably too young to remember back to the days when a newspaper would devote a whole page to nothing other than stamp collecting.

For anyone interested in a trip back to yesteryear, many may find this page quite interesting from the NY Sun (06/19/1942) devoted exclusively to stamps and stamp-related news of the day.

http://fultonhistory.com/newspaper%...-%201735.pdf

What a time to be collecting stamps! The 1930s and 1940s were truly the Golden Period for collectors. Lots of newspapers had at least a weekly stamp collectors column that included "how to" information, plus info about new issues and covers. The Sun was particularly stamp collecting friendly and also published some cheap or free booklets about collecting.

The downside of that time period, of course, was the lack of access to these newspapers by collectors in rural areas. The void was filled to some degree by the numerous stamp magazines and stamp newspapers of the day.

While it all looks good, contemporary collectors have the tremendous advantage of the Internet.

Thanks for putting that page up, wt1.

Don

Interesting wt1

I found it quite interesting to see the inauguration of the V-Mail in that issue as well. I also remember a series of documentaries on tv called "Year By Year", and, when it was for the year 1942, there was about 5 minutes on the documentary devoted to these as well. I wish I had recorded it because I didn't expect to see that. However, if I am not mistaken, I believe it is available on YouTube.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Here's the link to that V-Mail news reel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR8cBKhgELc

Even though the war was on they illustrated and wrote about stamps of Germany.

Thanks for that link wt1

Chimo

Bujutsu

I have a stash of Postal News Releases from the days before computer/data transfer. Some time ago, the Boston Globe would run a column in their Sunday edition on upcoming stamp issues. The Post Office Department/USPS would send these news releases to the Newspaper Office with information and picture of the latest issues. The picture was a high quality B&W photo. The release included information on the subject and the technical information on the printing. Later, as the use of computers became more prevalent, the information was printed in the Postal Bulletin, with color illustrations, subject information, technical data and FOI instructions. Sadly, there are not many instances of new issues printed in the local newspapers, unless there is a FOI ceremony of noted local interest. In my early days of collecting I depended greatly on the Sunday Philatelic column for new issues. With the decrease in readership, and decline in interest in the hobby, newspapers have given way to the hobby specific publications.

Growing up in the 70's I remember the Sunday section of the Worcester Telegram(Mass) having a stamp section. I think I remember it being sometimes just a small section and other times a couple pages. Might be mixing up newspapers though.

A collection I bought last year had a few newspaper articles about stamps from that era too. I'll have to see if I can dig those up. Those might have been the 60's though