One year before the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was appointed the first Postmaster General for the Thirteen Colonies. Through deliberate actions and planning, Franklin helped to form the structural basis of what would eventually become the United States Postal Service. In 1847, both he and George Washington (1732-1799) were posthumously honored by having their images appear on the country’s first postage stamps.
Unbeknownst to postal officials at that time, postage stamps would become an essential component of the mail system that documented and displayed numerous facets of the country’s history and culture. And, consequently, stamps would also become collectible items coveted, studied, and exhibited by The Lawrenceville School’s Stamp Club (pictured).
As part of the National 250th Anniversary Celebration in 2026, The Stephan Archives is debuting a two-part exhibit on Alumni Weekend 2024 that will extend through 2026 — “Canceled Culture: First Day Covers and Historic American Stamps.” Highlighting both the School’s Stamp Club and American history, ninety-seven First Day Covers courtesy of the Mason Family will be displayed to the community in The Stephan Archives’ Reading Room starting on May 31, 2024. In June 2025, historic stamps from the Robert N. Standish, Jr. ’44 GP’13 bequest will be added to the exhibit. Community members can access the exhibit during The Bunn Library’s operating hours.
Access the exhibit's online reading companion here