Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
09:28:05pm
Here are three for your enjoyment from The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 2, No. 18, June 20, 1869.
ISABELLA'S HEAD still ornaments Spanish postage stamps. It gives her rebellious subjects an opportunity to punch it, you know.
*****************
THE OTHER DAY a little girl presented a letter at the post-office. There being no stamp upon it, the post-master inquired whether she had not brought three cents. "No," she replied, "father has put the stamp inside."
*****************
ONCE, when Jeff. Davis was crossing the Capitol Square in Richmond, a drunken North Carolina soldier stopped him and inquired, "Say, mister, be'ent you Jefferson Davis?" "Sir, that is my name." "I thought so," replied tar-heel, "you look so much like a Confederate postage stamp."
*****************
(I thought they were cute ... if interested, I'll post more later)
Kelly
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More, please, Kelly.
John Derry
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12:33:26am
MANY A MICKLE MEANS A MUCKLE
(The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 2, No. 15, March 20, 1869)
It has been estimated, by careful calculation, that if, during the last postal year, stamped envelopes had been used in every instance where postage-stamps were put on the letters and packages mailed in these United States, the mere omission of those tiny squares of paper would have lessened the weight of the mail-bags by more than forty thousand pounds, and have saved in paper alone fifteen or twenty thousand dollars. Hearth and Home.
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Kelly,
Enjoying these, keep 'em coming....
Sally
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02:56:05pm
Ok guys - try to figure this one out 
(The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 1, No. 3, May 1, 1868)
LETTER ADDRESS
Bostmaster, blese to sent him straight.
Ben-syl-vany is der straight:
Old Venango, dat's der gounty,
Vere oil bours out mit Hefen's Pounty
Franklin, she's der gounty seat.
Der Bost Offise on Liberty street;
Sharley Daylor, he's der man;
Send dis yust so quick you can.
**************
Think Sharley Daylor got his mail??? 
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Let me give it a try:
Postmaster, please to send him straight
Pennsylvania is the state
Old Venango, that's the county
Where oil pours out with heaven's bounty
Franklin, she's the county seat
The Post Office on Liberty Street
Charley Taylor, he's the man
Send this just so quick you can
It's good German/Penn Dutch dialect
Roger
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12:43:16pm
I'm wondering how well this advert fared.
From The Dominion Philatelist, Vol 4, 1889
EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT
CHINAMEN are no good but if you want good approval sheets at 40 per cent commission or 20 varieties rare stamps for 10 cents write to SMITH, WHITE & Co., West Winsted, Conn.
*************
Now here's an offer I wish was available today (same section of same journal):
ADVANCED COLLECTORS and beginners, I am now breaking up an old collection, send for sheets. A Canada 3d and 100 different stamps for 25c; 500 foreign, well sorted, 15c. Will allow good exchange for registered and old Canadian stamps. Mention what you have. CARL HERRING, London, Can.
(He's offering a Canada 3d and looking for "old Canadian stamps"? I'd love to have a Canada 3d in my album!)
*************
(same Journal as above - written in the "Uncle Sam Wants YOU!" typesetting)
YOU NEED A COPY OF
THE FRAUD LIST.
Cash 25 cents, exchange 50 cents.
A.B. MERRILL,, BOX 445, EVERETT, MASS.
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Thank you for undertaking this worthwhile project, Kelly! You've given us Stamporamanians yet another source of information and inspiration.
Bob
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12:11:02pm
Taken from The American Journal of Philately, Vol 4, February 20, 1871
EXTRACTS FROM THE POST OFFICE REPORT
The very interesting report of Postmaster General Creswell exhibits the growth of the postal system in this country, which has kept far in advance of the growth of the population and wealth. In the first year of Washington's Administration 300,000 letters were carried 350,000 miles. In the first year of Grant's, 590,000,000 letters were carried 97,000,000 miles. then there was no railway, no ocean steamer service, no telegraph; rates of postage were high and service was uncertain, irregular and unfrequent.
Mr. Creswell recommends the readjustments of compensation given to railroads for mail carriage, and of the arrangements by which mails are transported. Now the mails are carried to suit the convenience of the railways and not that of the public. The matter needs a thorough reformation. Now newspapers mails often accumulate at certain points, to the great damage and detriment of publishers and readers.
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12:44:35am
A Clipping from the same Journal as noted above:
(You'll all get a chuckle over this one!)
An English paper tells the following with reference to the new open postal cards: "The Germans have their postal cards as well as we, and abuse the new institution in about the same manner. At Dresden a gentleman received a card some weeks ago, conveying the following message: 'I lost my purse yesterday at the Elabe baths, with three Napoleons in it. I dropped it close to the watermark, where it must lie still. As you are a diver, pray go a bathing with me this evening at 6.' The gentleman kept the appointment, and was surprised to see two or three postmen go into the baths just before him. Having undressed he went out to the platform, and there his astonishment increased; for, in spite of the unusual hour, there were numbers of men there, some of whom it needed not the sight of the post-office uniforms in the undressing rooms to proclaim post-office clerks, for they were well-known faces from the receiving counters. They all kept near the watermark, a place generally very little frequented, and took uncommon long dives. The writer of the card was sitting at a little distance, evidently enjoying the sight. As the disappointed clerks returned from their aquatic search they found an inscription in chalk on the door: 'Strict secrecy observed with regard to all postal communications.' It was only then that they perceived they had been made the butt of a joke."
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09:41:21pm
On my, Postal blunders!! Here is a little article under the "NEWS OF INTEREST" in the Toronto Philatelic Journal of June 1885.
******************
To write in haste and repent at leisure is the experience of many an impetuous correspondent, who is ignorant or oblivious of the rule that a letter once posted can never be taken out of the box, that it becomes the property of the postmaster-general until it is delivered. The reports give many instances of the painful results of haste and carelessnes:
"On one occasion a gentlemanly-looking person called and expressed a fear that he had enclosed two letters in wrong envelopes, and that all his prospects in life depended on his having his letters back, and correcting the mistake; inasmuch as they revealed plans which he had adopted to save two mercantile houses in the same line of business, whose interests clashed at every point."
A similar blunder occurred in a more delicate affair, when a young lady was most urgent to have her letters returned, as she had accepted the wrong offer of marriage. The local postmaster was unable to resist her earnest entreaties, and thus prevented a painful catastrophe.
But a whole romance might be written on the following incident: - A young lady, who had been engaged to a prosperous young manufacturer, was informed, a few days before the marriage was fixed for, that the firm was insolvent. Not a moment was to be lost, and a letter was written and posted, breaking the engagement; when, within two hours, it was discovered that the report was entirely unfounded. The report continues: "The daughter with her parents rushed to the post-office, and no words can describe the scene - the appeals, the tears, the wringing of hands, the united entreaties of the family, to have the fatal letter restored, but, alas! all was vain, the rule admitted of no exception." - From The Royal Mail.
******************
I can't help but think of all the hasty emails and messages sent on social media today that cause the same issues. Once sent, it is gone with no return. It appears nothing has been learned by the people, regardless of the mode of written communication over the past 150 years!!
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Ah yes, the sanctity of the mails! When my wife was in her first or second year of college in our hometown in New Mexico, the news broke that a local couple, the parents of a boy she'd been in high school with, had been murdered. Someone broke into their house and shot them in bed. Their son was away at My wife bought a card of condolence and sent it to him. Oops! That afternoon, the news broke that the couples son, had been charged with the murder. She rushed to the post office, explained to the postmaster what had happened, and reluctantly agreed to retrieve the card and give it to her. At which she was profoundly relieved.
The story that came out at trial was that the son, who had been an honour student, drove home, and on the way bought a pistol. After killing his parents, he drove back to the university he was intending; and at some point on the drive back, he threw the gun into the desert. The gun was never found, but he was convicted and spent 10 years in prison.
Bob
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11:35:56pm
Oh wow Bob - good thing the postmaster broke the rules on that one!
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02:23:34am
I have a daughter named Alexandra, now an adult with four children.
I also have a friend, a family friend with whom I once conducted a mild romance before I married my wife. However my friend and I have remained in contact despite the many miles between our homes. One day I sent a Facebook message by accident to my daughter that included the words "... How about the time we ......". My daughter sent me a note asking me what I was writing about ".... Did you mean to send this to Aunt Alex ......." since as a close family friend my children all called her that.
Oh well, I never claimed to have been an angel before I met my wife.
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02:45:38am
LOL Charlie! Did you learn anything from that? Like double-checking who you are writing to?
I got a text one day from a friend that apparently was making a date with someone - I texted back and said you know who this is, right? She texted back with - omg, I thought I was talking to _____! I told my partner who got a good laugh. I haven't been single for a long time so it was kinda nice to be "propositioned"!
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I also thought of the various blunders that occur with social media. The difference is, depending on what medium you're using, a lot of people can see it today. Years ago, if you sent a picture to someone and regretted it, it could be destroyed and at the very least a limited number of people would see it. Now, you send or post a picture and you can never be sure to have control of it again!
Also on the point of mailing things. Many years ago I sent an anniversary card to a friend and her husband for their first anniversary. She was my first high school friend to get married and I felt rather grown up sending the card. We were both living in different places and hadn't been in contact much. A couple months after sending the card I learned from her aunt that the couple had broken up! (It was a bad situation, he was emotionally abusive.) I told her about it years later and she got quite a laugh out of what he must have thought when he received the card.
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04:07:13am
One of my closest cousin wrote me that her youngest daughter was getting married in a few weeks. They live about as far from Florida as possible and still be in the lower 48. I had known her daughter up to about when she finished High School, before they all moved west, so I thought I'd send them a note and a small gift card.
A few months later I mentioned it and asked how the wedding had been as I didn't heard any further family news.
Apparently the marriage had lasted only a week or so and by then she had filed for divorce and the abusive husband was, and still is incarcerated.
The long and unfortunate story is private, but the moral must be here somewhere.
Apparently not all marriages are made in heaven.
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05:06:09pm
Here are a few adverts from Toronto Philatelic Journal of 1885 that are sure to catch your eye!
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05:51:24pm
Another ad from the same Journal - boy these guys sure had interesting advertising antics!
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06:32:31pm
I am always interested in the true economic "cost" of these old ads. I don't trust long term Consumer Price Indices because the components of the index are unrecognizable over so much time. But as a solid indicator, 1 pound of beef sold for 14c in 1885. That makes the 30c/1000 stamps roughly the equivalent of $20-$25 today, measured in beef.
Roy
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06:48:10pm
That's a lot of beef!
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Roy, I believe it's your dog who insists on using beef as currency, as well he should. so, translate from Canada to US dollars, from 2014 dollars to 1885 dollars, convert to beef, covert beef back to 2014 US, and ground round to the nearest pound for the hound (yes, I know, she'd be insulted to be considered a hound).
David
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01:06:17pm
David,
All those factors considered, and well within tolerances for the accuracy required. Not nearly as complicated as the financial derivative products I used to trade! 
(Well before the 2008 debacle.)
Roy
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01:02:08am
From The American Journal of Philately, Vol 4, May 20, 1871
*********
A horned toad from the swamps of Nevada came through the mail a distance of three thousand miles to a merchant of Wilmington, Vt., last week, having rode the whole distance encased in a sardine box, from which was taken out in the best of health and spirits.
*********
A man out in Iowa asked the price of postage stamps, and was told "three cents," whereupon he asked if he couldn't have them cheaper if he took four or five. To this the accommodating Postmaster responded: "We cannot sell them at that rate now. We could have done so until lately, but now the Government punches holes around each stamp for the convenience of the people, which so increases the cost that we cannot afford to make any discount." The satisfied customer cheerfully paid three cents.
*********
MATCH STAMPS - Poor Mr. Lowe, the chancellor of the British Exchequer, is like the man who won the elephant in a raffle, having on his hands one thousand pounds' worth of stamps intended for the match boxes, which branch of industry it was thought prudent, after all not to tax. There seems no possible use for the stamps and Mr. Lowe's economical soul is the prey of the bitterest remorse. Eccentric people have been known to collect cancelled postage and revenue stamps for the papering of apartments. Might not the Cabinet Room in Downing street be papered with the match-box stamps to advantage? This, at least, would enable the Chancellor to set down the thousand pounds to the expense account instead of to profit and loss.
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02:44:37am
From The American Journal of Philately, July 20, 1871
** Please note, the following was written in 1871 and therefore reflects the language of that era ** (I have included this clipping simply because I felt it was an interesting clipping, no offense intended to any SOR members)
*****************
FOOT STAMPS
An old negro woman lately gave a letter to the mail agent on the Carolina train, at the station near Branchville, United States, and asked him to send it for her. The agent said the letter must be stamped. The old woman became indignant, said the darkies were free, and 'Whar war de use of freeing the cullud pussons ef you didnt free de letters to?' and finally yelled out, 'How many stamps he want, eh?' The mail agent said, 'Three.' Down went the letter, and down went the old woman's heel. 'Dar! Dar! Dar's three stamps! Dat enuff, eh?' She was in angry earnest, and the bystanders were amused accordingly. The agent saw the joke, volunteered to pay the money for the stamp, and thus doubly stamped, the letter was sent to its destination - Mason's Stamp-Collector's Magazine.
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09:31:23pm
In 1899, Scott's Catalogue could be purchased for 58c in Canada including postage and duty costs. Not too bad, eh? And we complain because we don't want to pay several hundreds of dollars - oh my!
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Interestingly, a single volume of the Scott catalogue today costs about the same, assuming that the price is adjusted for inflation. Unfortunately for us, there are about a zillion more stamps today than there were in 1889!
Bob
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COLD SWEAT !
" How did she know that", he said out loud to himself.
He paused a second, shrugged his shoulders and went on his merry way. It was the 4th of October, the day of a new stamp issue and he did not want to be late at the post Office.
London was surprisingly summer like. A light breeze, nice sunshine with just the odd cloud to break heat of the day.
The middle aged man had made his way to the big Post Office in Central London. He had been there many times before that year and even knew some of the Postal clerks by name. Indeed, he had often commented to others that he could have found his way there with his eyes closed. Doubtless they did not believe him, this being one of the busier parts of the capital !
It was early and for a new issue day, eerily quiet. Where were all those collectors he had seen and chatted to so many times in the recent past. Could they have forgotten about today; Could they have missed something. He thought it strange but nonetheless continued on to the Philatelic Counter. No queue !
He peered through the protective glass and there was a man with his head down, as if in half-sleep. He was a balding man in his forties, at a guess, and did not notice the Middle aged man.
"Huh Hum, excuse me but I would like the new Smilers stamps please".
The postal worker looked up, opened his eyes fully, and said apologetically, " Er, sorry I was just ...er, well it's been quiet today and er.............."
" That's OK. I would like the new Smilers Stamps please"
The Postal worker opened the small drawer in front of him and handed him 1 booklet. " One pound eighty pence please sir"
" Also the Smilers sheet please because the stamps are not the same and I collect all the varieties"
" Sorry Sir, but the sheets are only available in Customized form"
He handed the man a form to fill in.
" If you would like to fill this in and pay fourteen pounds ninety nine pence then I can order it for you. I will of course need a photograph "
The middle aged man stopped admiring his booklet and looked at the man. " WHAAAAAAAAAT ! You want me to pay 14.99 pounds for stamps with a face value of 6 pounds. Do you think I'm stupid or WHAAAAAT !" His voiced reached a higher level. "I have been coming here all year, week in week out, spending my good money and now you want to cheat me into paying more than double for stamps...NO,NO,NO,NO,......."
" NO,NO,NO,NO,". The middle aged man woke up in a Cold Sweat, shaking. He was relieved to see it was morning and noticed the sun shining through the window.
" Are you alright dear". His wife came in the room with laundry and noticed her pale looking husband. " Yes, bit of a nightmare that's all"
He dressed quickly and went downstairs for breakfast. His wife noticed that he was quiet as they ate their Eggs and Bacon. He was usually quite chatty.
" I am going out for a while", he said to his wife after the meal was over. He went to get his coat.
" I don't think you will need that today", she said. "It's quite hot for October. And don't forget the new Smilers stamps are out today".
The door closed behind as he stepped into the warm sunshine. Then he stopped, a sudden chill came over him and he was goose-pimply from head to toe.
"How did she know that"
By Londonbus1
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04:38:19am
Lol
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10:21:09pm
Here's a good one from an article I just transcribed which will be put online in the next few days. From The Philatelic Advocate, printed in Berlin (Waterloo), Ontario, Canada - 1900
I think Canadians will be surprised to hear that there is to be a new issue of Revenue stamps, perhaps they are the new Tobacco and Cigar stamps. They are indeed much handsomer than the old stamps, but the fellow who goes around cancelling them on boxes of Tobacco, nearly always manages to render them useless to collectors by punching the Queens’ head full of holes instead of punching them only in the spot marked “Cancel here.â€
Unlike the Spanish stamps where people were happy to use the ex-queen's head as a "punching bag," (see first entry above) the writer here has compassion that Queen Victoria's head was used as such!
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10:03:48pm
Enjoy!
From The American Journal of Philately - September 20th, 1871
A live cat was found in the mail bag at a town in Maine one day last week. The postmaster made diligent search through all the United States postage laws to find the amount of postage on the animal, but found nothing touching the case.
***********************
"HENPECK" is the name of a post office in Alexandria, Co., Illinois. It does a small business. The males avoid it.
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Stamp collectors find sign language very handy.
John Derry
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01:03:27am
Beware of Street Cars is this fella's warning.
From the Montreal Philatelist - 1898
Dot Drolley Gar.
By J.W.P. in "The Club Echo."
Dot drolley gar, and you see dot,
Vot runs der street apoud,
I never ride in him again
Sometimes, ven I get oud.
Already sometimes, I did ride
Most allways as I did,
To keep mein frau from valking
Who usually goes mid.
Vell, now I dinks. I guess I am
Sometimes already sad
I ride upon dot drolley gar,
Und dot was werry bad.
He scare der life near oud off me,
He nearly kill mein frau,
He run like off lightnings quick
Und I vill told you how.
A clohes line from der street runs up
Ten feet straight up about,
Und from der roof off dot street gar
A fishing pole sthicks out -
Der gar he comes already yet,
Der drifer he youst turns
Zwei handles mid-each ein handt
Der dracks mid fire burns.
Und ven his bell most usually
He rings upon der streets,
Most always sometimes, vat you dink?
He rings him mid his feet.
Now ven mein frau vants me to ride
Till Doomsday she can dalk,
For ven I ride dot gar again
I guess, by Jinks - I volk.
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01:46:40am
Another from the Montreal Philatelist, 1898
Man is born to rule the world, but woman comes along and makes him forget what he started out to do. - Chicago Record
*************************
Footlight - How did your friend play the part of Julius Caesar?
Sue Brette - Great! I really thought the audience would assassinate him before Marc Antony had a chance. - Yonkers Statesman
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07:23:21pm
From the Montreal Philatelist, April 1899 (Canada)
HE DID NOT WANT AN ATLAS
Party (at the Post Office) A 2 cent stamp, please.
(Clerk hands out a 2c Imperial).
Party (indignantly) - Here, I say! I asked for a postage stamp, I don't want an atlas.
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Many thanks for your dedication to this project, Poodle_Mum. For the benefit of members who may not be familiar with Canada's "Map Stamp," here are my examples:
And a close-up view of one of them:
Bob
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Did you hear about the picky stamp collector who had to have hip replacement surgery? He insisted that the new joint be in mint never hinged condition.
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Oh grroooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn!!! 
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
27 Jul 2014
09:28:05pm
I am currently wading through dozens of Philatelic Journals from the 1860s and come across some fun "clippings."
Here are three for your enjoyment from The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 2, No. 18, June 20, 1869.
ISABELLA'S HEAD still ornaments Spanish postage stamps. It gives her rebellious subjects an opportunity to punch it, you know.
*****************
THE OTHER DAY a little girl presented a letter at the post-office. There being no stamp upon it, the post-master inquired whether she had not brought three cents. "No," she replied, "father has put the stamp inside."
*****************
ONCE, when Jeff. Davis was crossing the Capitol Square in Richmond, a drunken North Carolina soldier stopped him and inquired, "Say, mister, be'ent you Jefferson Davis?" "Sir, that is my name." "I thought so," replied tar-heel, "you look so much like a Confederate postage stamp."
*****************
(I thought they were cute ... if interested, I'll post more later)
Kelly
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The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.
27 Jul 2014
11:11:06pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
More, please, Kelly.
John Derry
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
28 Jul 2014
12:33:26am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
MANY A MICKLE MEANS A MUCKLE
(The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 2, No. 15, March 20, 1869)
It has been estimated, by careful calculation, that if, during the last postal year, stamped envelopes had been used in every instance where postage-stamps were put on the letters and packages mailed in these United States, the mere omission of those tiny squares of paper would have lessened the weight of the mail-bags by more than forty thousand pounds, and have saved in paper alone fifteen or twenty thousand dollars. Hearth and Home.
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Kelly,
Enjoying these, keep 'em coming....
Sally
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
28 Jul 2014
02:56:05pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Ok guys - try to figure this one out
(The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 1, No. 3, May 1, 1868)
LETTER ADDRESS
Bostmaster, blese to sent him straight.
Ben-syl-vany is der straight:
Old Venango, dat's der gounty,
Vere oil bours out mit Hefen's Pounty
Franklin, she's der gounty seat.
Der Bost Offise on Liberty street;
Sharley Daylor, he's der man;
Send dis yust so quick you can.
**************
Think Sharley Daylor got his mail???
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Let me give it a try:
Postmaster, please to send him straight
Pennsylvania is the state
Old Venango, that's the county
Where oil pours out with heaven's bounty
Franklin, she's the county seat
The Post Office on Liberty Street
Charley Taylor, he's the man
Send this just so quick you can
It's good German/Penn Dutch dialect
Roger
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
06 Aug 2014
12:43:16pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
I'm wondering how well this advert fared.
From The Dominion Philatelist, Vol 4, 1889
EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT
CHINAMEN are no good but if you want good approval sheets at 40 per cent commission or 20 varieties rare stamps for 10 cents write to SMITH, WHITE & Co., West Winsted, Conn.
*************
Now here's an offer I wish was available today (same section of same journal):
ADVANCED COLLECTORS and beginners, I am now breaking up an old collection, send for sheets. A Canada 3d and 100 different stamps for 25c; 500 foreign, well sorted, 15c. Will allow good exchange for registered and old Canadian stamps. Mention what you have. CARL HERRING, London, Can.
(He's offering a Canada 3d and looking for "old Canadian stamps"? I'd love to have a Canada 3d in my album!)
*************
(same Journal as above - written in the "Uncle Sam Wants YOU!" typesetting)
YOU NEED A COPY OF
THE FRAUD LIST.
Cash 25 cents, exchange 50 cents.
A.B. MERRILL,, BOX 445, EVERETT, MASS.
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Thank you for undertaking this worthwhile project, Kelly! You've given us Stamporamanians yet another source of information and inspiration.
Bob
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
07 Aug 2014
12:11:02pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Taken from The American Journal of Philately, Vol 4, February 20, 1871
EXTRACTS FROM THE POST OFFICE REPORT
The very interesting report of Postmaster General Creswell exhibits the growth of the postal system in this country, which has kept far in advance of the growth of the population and wealth. In the first year of Washington's Administration 300,000 letters were carried 350,000 miles. In the first year of Grant's, 590,000,000 letters were carried 97,000,000 miles. then there was no railway, no ocean steamer service, no telegraph; rates of postage were high and service was uncertain, irregular and unfrequent.
Mr. Creswell recommends the readjustments of compensation given to railroads for mail carriage, and of the arrangements by which mails are transported. Now the mails are carried to suit the convenience of the railways and not that of the public. The matter needs a thorough reformation. Now newspapers mails often accumulate at certain points, to the great damage and detriment of publishers and readers.
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
08 Aug 2014
12:44:35am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
A Clipping from the same Journal as noted above:
(You'll all get a chuckle over this one!)
An English paper tells the following with reference to the new open postal cards: "The Germans have their postal cards as well as we, and abuse the new institution in about the same manner. At Dresden a gentleman received a card some weeks ago, conveying the following message: 'I lost my purse yesterday at the Elabe baths, with three Napoleons in it. I dropped it close to the watermark, where it must lie still. As you are a diver, pray go a bathing with me this evening at 6.' The gentleman kept the appointment, and was surprised to see two or three postmen go into the baths just before him. Having undressed he went out to the platform, and there his astonishment increased; for, in spite of the unusual hour, there were numbers of men there, some of whom it needed not the sight of the post-office uniforms in the undressing rooms to proclaim post-office clerks, for they were well-known faces from the receiving counters. They all kept near the watermark, a place generally very little frequented, and took uncommon long dives. The writer of the card was sitting at a little distance, evidently enjoying the sight. As the disappointed clerks returned from their aquatic search they found an inscription in chalk on the door: 'Strict secrecy observed with regard to all postal communications.' It was only then that they perceived they had been made the butt of a joke."
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08 Aug 2014
09:41:21pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
On my, Postal blunders!! Here is a little article under the "NEWS OF INTEREST" in the Toronto Philatelic Journal of June 1885.
******************
To write in haste and repent at leisure is the experience of many an impetuous correspondent, who is ignorant or oblivious of the rule that a letter once posted can never be taken out of the box, that it becomes the property of the postmaster-general until it is delivered. The reports give many instances of the painful results of haste and carelessnes:
"On one occasion a gentlemanly-looking person called and expressed a fear that he had enclosed two letters in wrong envelopes, and that all his prospects in life depended on his having his letters back, and correcting the mistake; inasmuch as they revealed plans which he had adopted to save two mercantile houses in the same line of business, whose interests clashed at every point."
A similar blunder occurred in a more delicate affair, when a young lady was most urgent to have her letters returned, as she had accepted the wrong offer of marriage. The local postmaster was unable to resist her earnest entreaties, and thus prevented a painful catastrophe.
But a whole romance might be written on the following incident: - A young lady, who had been engaged to a prosperous young manufacturer, was informed, a few days before the marriage was fixed for, that the firm was insolvent. Not a moment was to be lost, and a letter was written and posted, breaking the engagement; when, within two hours, it was discovered that the report was entirely unfounded. The report continues: "The daughter with her parents rushed to the post-office, and no words can describe the scene - the appeals, the tears, the wringing of hands, the united entreaties of the family, to have the fatal letter restored, but, alas! all was vain, the rule admitted of no exception." - From The Royal Mail.
******************
I can't help but think of all the hasty emails and messages sent on social media today that cause the same issues. Once sent, it is gone with no return. It appears nothing has been learned by the people, regardless of the mode of written communication over the past 150 years!!
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Ah yes, the sanctity of the mails! When my wife was in her first or second year of college in our hometown in New Mexico, the news broke that a local couple, the parents of a boy she'd been in high school with, had been murdered. Someone broke into their house and shot them in bed. Their son was away at My wife bought a card of condolence and sent it to him. Oops! That afternoon, the news broke that the couples son, had been charged with the murder. She rushed to the post office, explained to the postmaster what had happened, and reluctantly agreed to retrieve the card and give it to her. At which she was profoundly relieved.
The story that came out at trial was that the son, who had been an honour student, drove home, and on the way bought a pistol. After killing his parents, he drove back to the university he was intending; and at some point on the drive back, he threw the gun into the desert. The gun was never found, but he was convicted and spent 10 years in prison.
Bob
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08 Aug 2014
11:35:56pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Oh wow Bob - good thing the postmaster broke the rules on that one!
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
09 Aug 2014
02:23:34am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
I have a daughter named Alexandra, now an adult with four children.
I also have a friend, a family friend with whom I once conducted a mild romance before I married my wife. However my friend and I have remained in contact despite the many miles between our homes. One day I sent a Facebook message by accident to my daughter that included the words "... How about the time we ......". My daughter sent me a note asking me what I was writing about ".... Did you mean to send this to Aunt Alex ......." since as a close family friend my children all called her that.
Oh well, I never claimed to have been an angel before I met my wife.
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09 Aug 2014
02:45:38am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
LOL Charlie! Did you learn anything from that? Like double-checking who you are writing to?
I got a text one day from a friend that apparently was making a date with someone - I texted back and said you know who this is, right? She texted back with - omg, I thought I was talking to _____! I told my partner who got a good laugh. I haven't been single for a long time so it was kinda nice to be "propositioned"!
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
I also thought of the various blunders that occur with social media. The difference is, depending on what medium you're using, a lot of people can see it today. Years ago, if you sent a picture to someone and regretted it, it could be destroyed and at the very least a limited number of people would see it. Now, you send or post a picture and you can never be sure to have control of it again!
Also on the point of mailing things. Many years ago I sent an anniversary card to a friend and her husband for their first anniversary. She was my first high school friend to get married and I felt rather grown up sending the card. We were both living in different places and hadn't been in contact much. A couple months after sending the card I learned from her aunt that the couple had broken up! (It was a bad situation, he was emotionally abusive.) I told her about it years later and she got quite a laugh out of what he must have thought when he received the card.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
10 Aug 2014
04:07:13am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
One of my closest cousin wrote me that her youngest daughter was getting married in a few weeks. They live about as far from Florida as possible and still be in the lower 48. I had known her daughter up to about when she finished High School, before they all moved west, so I thought I'd send them a note and a small gift card.
A few months later I mentioned it and asked how the wedding had been as I didn't heard any further family news.
Apparently the marriage had lasted only a week or so and by then she had filed for divorce and the abusive husband was, and still is incarcerated.
The long and unfortunate story is private, but the moral must be here somewhere.
Apparently not all marriages are made in heaven.
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10 Aug 2014
05:06:09pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Here are a few adverts from Toronto Philatelic Journal of 1885 that are sure to catch your eye!
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10 Aug 2014
05:51:24pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Another ad from the same Journal - boy these guys sure had interesting advertising antics!
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 300 categories
10 Aug 2014
06:32:31pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
I am always interested in the true economic "cost" of these old ads. I don't trust long term Consumer Price Indices because the components of the index are unrecognizable over so much time. But as a solid indicator, 1 pound of beef sold for 14c in 1885. That makes the 30c/1000 stamps roughly the equivalent of $20-$25 today, measured in beef.
Roy
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10 Aug 2014
06:48:10pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
That's a lot of beef!
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Roy, I believe it's your dog who insists on using beef as currency, as well he should. so, translate from Canada to US dollars, from 2014 dollars to 1885 dollars, convert to beef, covert beef back to 2014 US, and ground round to the nearest pound for the hound (yes, I know, she'd be insulted to be considered a hound).
David
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 300 categories
11 Aug 2014
01:06:17pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
David,
All those factors considered, and well within tolerances for the accuracy required. Not nearly as complicated as the financial derivative products I used to trade! (Well before the 2008 debacle.)
Roy
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19 Aug 2014
01:02:08am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
From The American Journal of Philately, Vol 4, May 20, 1871
*********
A horned toad from the swamps of Nevada came through the mail a distance of three thousand miles to a merchant of Wilmington, Vt., last week, having rode the whole distance encased in a sardine box, from which was taken out in the best of health and spirits.
*********
A man out in Iowa asked the price of postage stamps, and was told "three cents," whereupon he asked if he couldn't have them cheaper if he took four or five. To this the accommodating Postmaster responded: "We cannot sell them at that rate now. We could have done so until lately, but now the Government punches holes around each stamp for the convenience of the people, which so increases the cost that we cannot afford to make any discount." The satisfied customer cheerfully paid three cents.
*********
MATCH STAMPS - Poor Mr. Lowe, the chancellor of the British Exchequer, is like the man who won the elephant in a raffle, having on his hands one thousand pounds' worth of stamps intended for the match boxes, which branch of industry it was thought prudent, after all not to tax. There seems no possible use for the stamps and Mr. Lowe's economical soul is the prey of the bitterest remorse. Eccentric people have been known to collect cancelled postage and revenue stamps for the papering of apartments. Might not the Cabinet Room in Downing street be papered with the match-box stamps to advantage? This, at least, would enable the Chancellor to set down the thousand pounds to the expense account instead of to profit and loss.
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19 Aug 2014
02:44:37am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
From The American Journal of Philately, July 20, 1871
** Please note, the following was written in 1871 and therefore reflects the language of that era ** (I have included this clipping simply because I felt it was an interesting clipping, no offense intended to any SOR members)
*****************
FOOT STAMPS
An old negro woman lately gave a letter to the mail agent on the Carolina train, at the station near Branchville, United States, and asked him to send it for her. The agent said the letter must be stamped. The old woman became indignant, said the darkies were free, and 'Whar war de use of freeing the cullud pussons ef you didnt free de letters to?' and finally yelled out, 'How many stamps he want, eh?' The mail agent said, 'Three.' Down went the letter, and down went the old woman's heel. 'Dar! Dar! Dar's three stamps! Dat enuff, eh?' She was in angry earnest, and the bystanders were amused accordingly. The agent saw the joke, volunteered to pay the money for the stamp, and thus doubly stamped, the letter was sent to its destination - Mason's Stamp-Collector's Magazine.
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08 Sep 2014
09:31:23pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
In 1899, Scott's Catalogue could be purchased for 58c in Canada including postage and duty costs. Not too bad, eh? And we complain because we don't want to pay several hundreds of dollars - oh my!
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Interestingly, a single volume of the Scott catalogue today costs about the same, assuming that the price is adjusted for inflation. Unfortunately for us, there are about a zillion more stamps today than there were in 1889!
Bob
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
COLD SWEAT !
" How did she know that", he said out loud to himself.
He paused a second, shrugged his shoulders and went on his merry way. It was the 4th of October, the day of a new stamp issue and he did not want to be late at the post Office.
London was surprisingly summer like. A light breeze, nice sunshine with just the odd cloud to break heat of the day.
The middle aged man had made his way to the big Post Office in Central London. He had been there many times before that year and even knew some of the Postal clerks by name. Indeed, he had often commented to others that he could have found his way there with his eyes closed. Doubtless they did not believe him, this being one of the busier parts of the capital !
It was early and for a new issue day, eerily quiet. Where were all those collectors he had seen and chatted to so many times in the recent past. Could they have forgotten about today; Could they have missed something. He thought it strange but nonetheless continued on to the Philatelic Counter. No queue !
He peered through the protective glass and there was a man with his head down, as if in half-sleep. He was a balding man in his forties, at a guess, and did not notice the Middle aged man.
"Huh Hum, excuse me but I would like the new Smilers stamps please".
The postal worker looked up, opened his eyes fully, and said apologetically, " Er, sorry I was just ...er, well it's been quiet today and er.............."
" That's OK. I would like the new Smilers Stamps please"
The Postal worker opened the small drawer in front of him and handed him 1 booklet. " One pound eighty pence please sir"
" Also the Smilers sheet please because the stamps are not the same and I collect all the varieties"
" Sorry Sir, but the sheets are only available in Customized form"
He handed the man a form to fill in.
" If you would like to fill this in and pay fourteen pounds ninety nine pence then I can order it for you. I will of course need a photograph "
The middle aged man stopped admiring his booklet and looked at the man. " WHAAAAAAAAAT ! You want me to pay 14.99 pounds for stamps with a face value of 6 pounds. Do you think I'm stupid or WHAAAAAT !" His voiced reached a higher level. "I have been coming here all year, week in week out, spending my good money and now you want to cheat me into paying more than double for stamps...NO,NO,NO,NO,......."
" NO,NO,NO,NO,". The middle aged man woke up in a Cold Sweat, shaking. He was relieved to see it was morning and noticed the sun shining through the window.
" Are you alright dear". His wife came in the room with laundry and noticed her pale looking husband. " Yes, bit of a nightmare that's all"
He dressed quickly and went downstairs for breakfast. His wife noticed that he was quiet as they ate their Eggs and Bacon. He was usually quite chatty.
" I am going out for a while", he said to his wife after the meal was over. He went to get his coat.
" I don't think you will need that today", she said. "It's quite hot for October. And don't forget the new Smilers stamps are out today".
The door closed behind as he stepped into the warm sunshine. Then he stopped, a sudden chill came over him and he was goose-pimply from head to toe.
"How did she know that"
By Londonbus1
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09 Sep 2014
04:38:19am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Lol
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10 Sep 2014
10:21:09pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Here's a good one from an article I just transcribed which will be put online in the next few days. From The Philatelic Advocate, printed in Berlin (Waterloo), Ontario, Canada - 1900
I think Canadians will be surprised to hear that there is to be a new issue of Revenue stamps, perhaps they are the new Tobacco and Cigar stamps. They are indeed much handsomer than the old stamps, but the fellow who goes around cancelling them on boxes of Tobacco, nearly always manages to render them useless to collectors by punching the Queens’ head full of holes instead of punching them only in the spot marked “Cancel here.â€
Unlike the Spanish stamps where people were happy to use the ex-queen's head as a "punching bag," (see first entry above) the writer here has compassion that Queen Victoria's head was used as such!
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15 Oct 2014
10:03:48pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Enjoy!
From The American Journal of Philately - September 20th, 1871
A live cat was found in the mail bag at a town in Maine one day last week. The postmaster made diligent search through all the United States postage laws to find the amount of postage on the animal, but found nothing touching the case.
***********************
"HENPECK" is the name of a post office in Alexandria, Co., Illinois. It does a small business. The males avoid it.
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The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.
16 Oct 2014
12:37:59am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Stamp collectors find sign language very handy.
John Derry
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16 Oct 2014
01:03:27am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Beware of Street Cars is this fella's warning.
From the Montreal Philatelist - 1898
Dot Drolley Gar.
By J.W.P. in "The Club Echo."
Dot drolley gar, and you see dot,
Vot runs der street apoud,
I never ride in him again
Sometimes, ven I get oud.
Already sometimes, I did ride
Most allways as I did,
To keep mein frau from valking
Who usually goes mid.
Vell, now I dinks. I guess I am
Sometimes already sad
I ride upon dot drolley gar,
Und dot was werry bad.
He scare der life near oud off me,
He nearly kill mein frau,
He run like off lightnings quick
Und I vill told you how.
A clohes line from der street runs up
Ten feet straight up about,
Und from der roof off dot street gar
A fishing pole sthicks out -
Der gar he comes already yet,
Der drifer he youst turns
Zwei handles mid-each ein handt
Der dracks mid fire burns.
Und ven his bell most usually
He rings upon der streets,
Most always sometimes, vat you dink?
He rings him mid his feet.
Now ven mein frau vants me to ride
Till Doomsday she can dalk,
For ven I ride dot gar again
I guess, by Jinks - I volk.
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16 Oct 2014
01:46:40am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Another from the Montreal Philatelist, 1898
Man is born to rule the world, but woman comes along and makes him forget what he started out to do. - Chicago Record
*************************
Footlight - How did your friend play the part of Julius Caesar?
Sue Brette - Great! I really thought the audience would assassinate him before Marc Antony had a chance. - Yonkers Statesman
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19 Oct 2014
07:23:21pm
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
From the Montreal Philatelist, April 1899 (Canada)
HE DID NOT WANT AN ATLAS
Party (at the Post Office) A 2 cent stamp, please.
(Clerk hands out a 2c Imperial).
Party (indignantly) - Here, I say! I asked for a postage stamp, I don't want an atlas.
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Many thanks for your dedication to this project, Poodle_Mum. For the benefit of members who may not be familiar with Canada's "Map Stamp," here are my examples:
And a close-up view of one of them:
Bob
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06:31:13am
re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Did you hear about the picky stamp collector who had to have hip replacement surgery? He insisted that the new joint be in mint never hinged condition.
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re: Philatelic Jokes & Tidbits
Oh grroooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn!!!
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