Philosateleia
Kevin Blackston
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America

Philosateleian Blog

Bat’s Private Post issues stamp picturing The Boy on the Seahorse

Bat’s Private Post out of Beverly Hills, California, recently issued a new official stamp. Although the first day of issue was September 8, a postcard bearing a copy of the stamp arrived in my post office box only within the past week.

This postcard was mailed from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and the stamp pictures a sculpture there: The Boy on the Seahorse by Rafael Zamarripa. The stamp is tied by several Bat’s Private Post postmarks and cancellations.

Bat’s Private Post The Boy on the Seahorse stamp
Bat’s Private Post The Boy on the Seahorse stamp

The new stamp is labeled “Inter-office Post,” indicating its intended use for official business, and it appears to be die cut with scalloped corners.

Blacksmith Shop Bridge appears on Purgatory Post stamp

New Hampshire-based Purgatory Post on October 19 issued the latest in its series of stamps picturing New Hampshire’s covered bridges, the first new release in the series in over a year. The 21-sola stamp pictures the Blacksmith Shop Bridge in Cornish.

Purgatory Post 21-sola stamp picturing Blacksmith Shop Bridge
Purgatory Post 21-sola Blacksmith Shop Bridge stamp

The 96-foot long Blacksmith Shop Bridge, also known as the Kenyon Bridge, was built in 1882 for the princely sum of $873. The bridge was closed in 1974 due to wear, but following restoration in the 1980s, it was reopened to foot traffic only.

According to information provided by Purgatory Post operator Scott A., the bridge got its name due to its close proximity to a shop operated by a blacksmith named John Fellows.

Chambers Stamp Factory key part of postmark history

As a local post enthusiast and a holder of a mailer’s postmark permit #1 in Floresville, Texas, I’ve often wished I could acquire a steel postmarking device like the ones used by postmasters during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Modern rubber stamps function adequately, and they’re inexpensive, but the impressions they stamp lack the clean lines of those produced with steel handstamps.

What I didn’t realize until recently was that from the late 1860s until the early 1930s, a single company was responsible for producing steel postmarks for the United States Post Office: the Chambers Stamp Factory, which was based near Callao, Virginia. An article in The House & Home Magazine provides background information about the company’s founder and operations.

The Chambers Stamp Factory closed in 1932 after another company that you’re more likely to have heard of won the Post Office’s contract for producing handstamps. The Pitney-Bowes Company produced rubber stamps, and could do so at a much lower price than what Chambers had charged for its employees to chisel steel postmarks by hand.

It’s kind of sad in a way that a company that had been in operation for decades could be run out of business so quickly, but such is progress, and the Post Office’s migration from steel handstamps to rubber is just another part of the story of our stamp collecting hobby.

Purgatory Post issues stamp picturing steamboat James Bell

On October 19, New Hampshire-based Purgatory Post issued the latest in its series of stamps honoring the steamboat that have plied the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. The 4-sola stamp pictures the James Bell, a steamboat launched in 1866 and named for United States Senator James Bell (1804–1857).

Purgatory Post James Bell stamp
Purgatory Post James Bell stamp

According to an accompanying insert prepared by Purgatory Post’s Scott A., the James Bell was one of the larger passenger steamers on Lake Winnipesaukee for nearly 20 years, but in November 1885 it collided with ice that cut through the boat’s hull. The steamboat slowly flooded with water; attempts to effect repairs ultimately failed, and the vessel sank near Lake Village.

Purgatory Post issued the first of its steamboat stamps nearly two years ago. Hopefully we’ll see additional new issues from Purgatory Post coming soon!

Canvey Island Local Post issues four stamps in 2023

A recent mailing from fellow Local Post Collectors Society member Paul W. brought several Canvey Island Local Post stamps to my mailbox, including four issued this year alone.

The first of the stamps was issued May 6 in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III. Canvey Island Local Post printed 200 copies of the stamp.

Canvey Island Local Post King Charles III stamp
Canvey Island Local Post King Charles III stamp

On June 24, Canvey Island Local Post issued a commemorative stamp for United Kingdom Armed Forces Day. The design pictures a soldier carrying a rifle along with the Union Jack. Only 75 copies were issued.

Canvey Island Local Post Armed Forces Day stamp
Canvey Island Local Post Armed Forces Day stamp

Next up was a stamp issued July 6 to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the National Health Service. The design pictures Aneurin Bevan, who was instrumental in the agency’s creation. The original stamp was issued for the 70th anniversary of the NHS in 2018; the new stamp has “2018” crossed out by a handstamped “XX” in blue with “75” overprinted in red. Only 34 copies were so overprinted, which could make this a particularly challenging stamp to find in either mint or used condition.

Canvey Island Local Post National Health Service stamp
Canvey Island Local Post National Health Service stamp

Finally, we come to Canvey Island Local Post’s most recent release: the first stamp in the issuer’s new Famous Aviators series. The stamp pictures Geoffrey de Havilland and a DH 108 tailless jet that broke up mid-flight near Canvey Island in 1946. The stamp was issued September 27.

Canvey Island Local Post Geoffrey de Havilland stamp
Canvey Island Local Post Geoffrey de Havilland stamp

Once again, lots of new material from this English local post, and I’m delighted to be able to share it with you. Thanks to Paul for sharing copies of his latest work with me!

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