Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-07
FOR A POSTAL MUSEUM.
Letter of the Postmaster General to
POstmasters Throughout the Country.

Postmaster General Wanamaker has sent the
following letter to postmasters throughout the
country:
'As indicated in my report to the President
for the year ending June 80, 1885, the depart
ment desires to establish in this city govern
ment museum that shall, as far as possible, rep
resent the progress of the postal system of the
United States from its beginning and at the
same time shall contain everything that may be
offered or can be collected in connection with
the work of the service that is either of
special interest or general historic value
Many articles worthy of preservation and dis
play in such museum are believed to be in
the possession OF postmasters throughout the
country and not needed by them in the present
transaction of public business, and some things
Of like character are no doubt In the hands of
private persons, who would be pleased to offer
them for public use upon the purpose of the
government in this matter being made known
In view of these facts it is thought proper to
call upon all postmasters to make at once a
careful search through their offices, and to
send to the department as soon as practicable
anything they may thus find that in their iudg-
ment Will be desirable additions to a postal
museum, and also to send anything of similar
character that may be procured from the
patrons. with such report or remarks in every
case as will be appropriate, including. of
course, where the article is donated, the giver's
name, In order that proper acknowledgment
may be made.
The following named classes of things con-
nected with postal work or history are given,
with the intention of suggesting what the de-
par:ment desires; but anything of interest not
comprehended in these classes may be sent:
Flrst-Oid stamping and postmarking instru-
ments no longer used. Second-Old mail bags
of abandoned patterns. Third-Copies of old
editions OF the Postal Laws and Regulations or
other postal documents, books or
essays on the postal service, old
accounts in book form or in sheets, old
letters, circulars, blanks, maps, commissions,
old newspapers and advertisements relating to
postal business or other papers OF postal
character. either ill print or in writing.
Fourth-Illustrations of old post Office build
ings. postal carriages or wagons and post Office
materials. Fifth-Portraits OF postal officers
either of present or former times. Sixth
Specimens of local postage stamps or of enyel-
opes with paid stamp of postmaster thereon,
used to prepay postage before the national
issue of postage stamps began in lS47.
Also anything, either in print or in writing,
relative to the introduction and use of such
local stamps or envelopes. Seventh-Old post
Office and registered package envelopes of
abandoned patterns and styles. Eighth
Models. engravings or photographs of exist
ing post Office buildings, or postal articles,
railway cars, steam boats or mail wagons
Ninth-Anything calculated to show the diff
culties attendant upon the carriage of the
mails or the management OF postal business in
newly settled parts of the country. Tenth
Old implements, relics and curiosities of mis-
ceiianeous character pertaining to the postal
service.
without involving the department in any
expense it is desired that every postmaster
shall take such steps as. in his discretion, will
be best calculated to give publicity to this
=
All articles sent in accordance with this notice
should be securely wrapped and forwarded by
registered mail, under penalty envelope or
label, addressed to Postmaster General, Wash
ington, De- and accompanied by a letter of
advice giving the facts in the case Care must
be taken not to send any articles in present use
in conducting the work Of the postal service. :"
It has not been decided where the museum
will be located, but it is expected that some
place in the department. building viii be set
aside for this purpose.
The Rev. DR.. Theodore L. Cuyler at the