Stamping American Memory: Collectors, Citizens, and the Post

Stamping American Memory is a book that explores the political volatility of stamp collecting culture in early-twentieth-century America. It examines how stamps enabled citizens to engage with their federal government in conversations about national life and how the US postal service shaped Americans' concepts of national belonging, citizenship, and race through its commemorative stamp program.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

In the era of digital communication, it is challenging to envision a time when the meaning and imagery of stamps held political volatility. While millions of Americans engaged in the hobby of stamp collecting from the 1880s to the 1940s, Stamping American Memory stands as the pioneering scholarly exploration of this cultural phenomenon. This groundbreaking work delves into the realm of stamp collecting culture and uncovers how stamps facilitated citizen engagement with their federal government in conversations about national life in early-twentieth-century America. By examining the civic dialogues that emerged around stamp subjects and imagery, this work sheds light on the previously underappreciated role that these historical artifacts played in conveying political messages.

Sheila A. Brennan skillfully weaves together a fresh synthesis that delves into how the United States Postal Service (USPS) shaped Americans' perceptions of national belonging, citizenship, and race through its commemorative stamp program. These commemoratives, designed to be cherished as souvenirs, were widely circulated and served as miniature memorials to carefully selected snapshots from the American past. Moreover, they fulfilled the political needs of small interest groups.

Stamping American Memory brings together the histories of the USPS and the federal government, as well as collecting and philately, through the lenses of material culture and memory. By doing so, it makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of this significant period in American history. This book offers valuable insights into the ways in which stamps not only reflected societal values but also played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and political discourse. Through its meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Stamping American Memory provides a fresh perspective on the role of stamps in American history and sheds light on the enduring impact of this cultural phenomenon.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472038763