Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
(Image from USPS.com)I have been to many post offices and viewed painted murals. They are amazing works of art. Earlier this year, the post office issued a strip of five (in a sheet of ten) depicting post office murals. While the issue is nice, the images on the stamps are flat, and in no way portray the vibrancy of the actual murals. If you ever get a chance to go to an older post office (smaller, older ones may have murals as well, not just the large post offices), take some time to take a look at them.
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Is there any indication to where these murals are located? It would be neat to find post cards with the images on them and more info.I would like to contact the post offices as well
Cheryl
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Why, Cheryl, I'm so glad that you asked!
https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/woodhaven-station-post-office-mural-jamaica-ny/ ... the New Deal mural in the lobby of my local post office
http://www.wpamurals.com/ ... a database of WPA (Works Progress Administration) murals all over the country
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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Yes, the location is printed below each stamp. Here is a link with information about the stamps. I was unable to block and copy the information.
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/post-office-murals-S_571104
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At the risk of starting a political argument, wasn't the President and stamp collector FDR responsible indirectly for these murals?
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Nothing political about discussing the history of stamps, unless someone takes it a step beyond the subject matter (philately).
The post office murals project was run under the Department Treasury as part of "The New Deal" during the depression. The New Deal is associated with FDR. How much input he had with this project, I don't know.
Here is a Wikipedia link regarding the history of the post office murals:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_post_office_murals
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I helped remove a mural from a post office building that was no longer being used as a post office. It was a pain in the neck.
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Was it saved or destroyed Antonio?
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"... I was unable to block and copy the information ..."
Here you go, Mr #s, courtesy of the Win10 Snipping Tool:
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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"Was it saved or destroyed Antonio?"
Oh, definitely saved. The removal was headed up by an experienced art restoration expert working on behalf of the USPS.
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Good to hear Antonio. So much of history gets destroyed that saving what we can becomes important.
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Thanks for posting that link, Ikey!
I am SERIOUSLY considering initiating a topical postcard collection on this theme.
1. Create a postcard by printing a photo onto heavy card stock, (jumbo?) postcard-sized.
2. Apply appropriate stamp and have it hand-cancelled at the PO featuring the mural.
The message part of the card could be pre-printed with descriptive info on the mural depicted.
Thinking about sizing them 5" x 8". Then, can display two to a standard sheet protector.
Really awesome stuff, and an artistic TREASURE!
Will be in Chester, PA and Boyertown, PA tomorrow for work....
-Paul
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Hello, I have been following this thread and it is fascinating.
The work artists contributed to beautifying with murals on post office, libraries, hospitals, auditoriums, universities, etc. during the Great Depression was outstanding and incredibly important.
I think your idea of creating your own postcards with the images of those murals (in post offices) is an excellent idea. However, perhaps a little research will yield that some of those postcards already exist. I have not researched this, but I have a hunch there may be some postcards of that theme out there.
When we visited the US Virgin Islands I visited the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office Building and saw beautiful murals decorating the lobby walls created by WPA artist Stevan Dohanos. (I saw a picture posted online in 2018 which shows no damage to the lobby or the murals after hurricane Irma devastated the island.)
Best regards to all!
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"... I think your idea of creating your own postcards with the images of those murals (in post offices) is an excellent idea. However, perhaps a little research will yield that some of those postcards already exist. I have not researched this, but I have a hunch there may be some postcards of that theme out there ..."
I've pawed my way thru more than my share of post cards, and I'd like to suggest that there are zillions of post cards showing a post office building (from the outside), and very, very few showing an interior (of any kind).
The exteriors of post office buildings ended-up on post cards along with statehouses, city halls, courthouses, office towers, hotels ... but those WPA murals in the lobbies? Nah.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey (who thinks that creating MaxiCards of WPA post office murals is a lovely idea)
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Yea and so do I!!!!!!
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Well, I *did* get in to the Boyertown (PA)PO last Friday to see the WPA murals. There are 4 bas relief sculptures hanging on the walls, which I photographed:
Harvest
Education
Transfer of Skill
Barnyard
The website says these are in plaster, but they're done in painted fiberglass. Castings of the originals? The current Boyertown PO that these hang in is not as old as the sculptures (1941).
I spoke to the Postmistress for a few minutes as she had no customers. She told me that she was sold out of the Murals stamps, and seemed honored that I was there to appreciate the artwork. She told me of a newspaper article on the history of these pieces, but could not give me the reference, and I have not been able to find it on the web.
Next stop, Elizabethtown (on Wednesday)!
-Paul
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A couple of years ago a friend and I became interested in PO murals after visiting the main post office in Oak
Park IL. We were in town to visit the various Frank Lloyd Wright creations.
As a result, purchased an interesting and informative book, “Wall-to-Wall America: Post-Office Murals in the Great Depression”. Karal Ann Marling, (Two editions, 1982 and 2000).
It’s a scholarly volume tracing the history and politics of the WPA, as well as the PO aspect.
Book is ready available on the resale market.
Some readers have criticized the quality of the book’s images. But for me, the historic narrative offset that concern. (Does one judge Leonardo’s “The Last Supper” based on a photo in a book?)
There’s also a nice mural in the PO in La Jolla, California. (A short walk from the LJ Women’s Club, another important historic structure.)
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https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/post-office-bas-relief-boyertown-pa/ ... three (sic?) plaster bas reliefs by Moissaye Marans, created under the auspices of the Treasury Section of Fine Arts in 1941.
http://www.wpamurals.com/pennsylv.htm ... WPA murals by state
https://www.pa-mag.com/new-deal-post-office-art-in-pennsylvania-listing/ ... list from an article in the Sept/Oct 2010 issue of Pennsylvania Magazine of New Deal Post Office artwork ... the article is said to be available in its entirety from editor@pa-mag.com
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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Wow, ikeyPikey.
Those are interesting resources. Was unaware of the plethora of examples within California. And fortunately, several remain intact.
Thx for sharing.
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Thanks ikey,
I posted a comment on the site for the Boyertown PO with corrections and an offer to provide my photographs.
-Paul
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The War on Murals !@#$%!
San Francisco Will Spend $600,000 to Erase History
The school board has voted to destroy public murals by a New Deal-era Communist.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/opinion/sunday/san-francisco-life-of-washington-murals.html
Cheers, or not,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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What a shame that we seem to be in a period where ignorance is golden.
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More background, more images, more suggestions ...
The Case for Keeping San Francisco’s Disputed George Washington Murals
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/26/arts/design/george-washington-san-francisco-murals.html
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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The sunshine of sanity breaking thru the clouds ...
San Francisco School Board Votes to Hide, but Not Destroy, Disputed Murals
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/arts/san-francisco-murals-george-washington.html
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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I like the old Roosevelt era postal murals.
If you want to take pictures of the murals you may be halted by a postal clerk who will cite post 9/11 anti-terrorist law that prevents photographing the interior of post offices by members of the public. At another post office without a mural, the clerk I knew shook his head and suggested maybe I could contact the postmaster, requesting a letter giving me permission to photograph the murals.
Interestingly, while I was forbidden to snap a few photos with my camera, my friend was using his phone as a camera and obtained some nice photos.
Bruce
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I asked the security guards at the San Antonio post office if I could take pictures. They said it was all right. I got some nice ones that I have posted here in the past.
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Perhaps the uniformed people have the authority to give the nod but the "little" folks at the smaller post office here in Michigan felt compelled to cite the 9/11 regulations: No photos.
Though as noted my friend used his phone as a camera and he was ignored but me with my big clunky Canon was stopped.
Bruce
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Maybe they didn't want pictures taken with a clunky camera. The images might not look so good! 
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I remember standing there watching the towers burn on 9-11 and thinking to myself that this changed everything! Little did I know all of the aspects of our lives that would change.
As I pursue my New Jersey collection and visit post offices, I usually photograph the exterior. I use my iPhone, which has a better camera then well, my camera! I have had no issues with anyone.
Back in the day, life was so much simpler. I had a friend in Australia who wanted photos of American police cars... pre internet. So I drove around my area and stopped at the local police departments and took pictures (with a film camera) of police vehicles. Only once was I even questioned! And once I explained myself to the curious officer he invited me inside to photograph pictures of old police cars they had on the walls!
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Ugly new fence. Your anti-terrorism tax dollars at work.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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05:55:55pm
(Image from USPS.com)
I have been to many post offices and viewed painted murals. They are amazing works of art. Earlier this year, the post office issued a strip of five (in a sheet of ten) depicting post office murals. While the issue is nice, the images on the stamps are flat, and in no way portray the vibrancy of the actual murals. If you ever get a chance to go to an older post office (smaller, older ones may have murals as well, not just the large post offices), take some time to take a look at them.
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07:27:39pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Is there any indication to where these murals are located? It would be neat to find post cards with the images on them and more info.I would like to contact the post offices as well
Cheryl
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this post
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
'
Why, Cheryl, I'm so glad that you asked!
https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/woodhaven-station-post-office-mural-jamaica-ny/ ... the New Deal mural in the lobby of my local post office
http://www.wpamurals.com/ ... a database of WPA (Works Progress Administration) murals all over the country
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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09:15:12pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Yes, the location is printed below each stamp. Here is a link with information about the stamps. I was unable to block and copy the information.
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/post-office-murals-S_571104
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
At the risk of starting a political argument, wasn't the President and stamp collector FDR responsible indirectly for these murals?
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this post
12:22:47am
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Nothing political about discussing the history of stamps, unless someone takes it a step beyond the subject matter (philately).
The post office murals project was run under the Department Treasury as part of "The New Deal" during the depression. The New Deal is associated with FDR. How much input he had with this project, I don't know.
Here is a Wikipedia link regarding the history of the post office murals:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_post_office_murals
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this post
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
I helped remove a mural from a post office building that was no longer being used as a post office. It was a pain in the neck.
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Was it saved or destroyed Antonio?
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
"... I was unable to block and copy the information ..."
Here you go, Mr #s, courtesy of the Win10 Snipping Tool:
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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likes this post.
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
"Was it saved or destroyed Antonio?"
Oh, definitely saved. The removal was headed up by an experienced art restoration expert working on behalf of the USPS.
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Good to hear Antonio. So much of history gets destroyed that saving what we can becomes important.
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this post
10:57:24am
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Thanks for posting that link, Ikey!
I am SERIOUSLY considering initiating a topical postcard collection on this theme.
1. Create a postcard by printing a photo onto heavy card stock, (jumbo?) postcard-sized.
2. Apply appropriate stamp and have it hand-cancelled at the PO featuring the mural.
The message part of the card could be pre-printed with descriptive info on the mural depicted.
Thinking about sizing them 5" x 8". Then, can display two to a standard sheet protector.
Really awesome stuff, and an artistic TREASURE!
Will be in Chester, PA and Boyertown, PA tomorrow for work....
-Paul
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12:13:07pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Hello, I have been following this thread and it is fascinating.
The work artists contributed to beautifying with murals on post office, libraries, hospitals, auditoriums, universities, etc. during the Great Depression was outstanding and incredibly important.
I think your idea of creating your own postcards with the images of those murals (in post offices) is an excellent idea. However, perhaps a little research will yield that some of those postcards already exist. I have not researched this, but I have a hunch there may be some postcards of that theme out there.
When we visited the US Virgin Islands I visited the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office Building and saw beautiful murals decorating the lobby walls created by WPA artist Stevan Dohanos. (I saw a picture posted online in 2018 which shows no damage to the lobby or the murals after hurricane Irma devastated the island.)
Best regards to all!
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
"... I think your idea of creating your own postcards with the images of those murals (in post offices) is an excellent idea. However, perhaps a little research will yield that some of those postcards already exist. I have not researched this, but I have a hunch there may be some postcards of that theme out there ..."
I've pawed my way thru more than my share of post cards, and I'd like to suggest that there are zillions of post cards showing a post office building (from the outside), and very, very few showing an interior (of any kind).
The exteriors of post office buildings ended-up on post cards along with statehouses, city halls, courthouses, office towers, hotels ... but those WPA murals in the lobbies? Nah.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey (who thinks that creating MaxiCards of WPA post office murals is a lovely idea)
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11:53:11am
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Yea and so do I!!!!!!
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03:32:24pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Well, I *did* get in to the Boyertown (PA)PO last Friday to see the WPA murals. There are 4 bas relief sculptures hanging on the walls, which I photographed:
Harvest
Education
Transfer of Skill
Barnyard
The website says these are in plaster, but they're done in painted fiberglass. Castings of the originals? The current Boyertown PO that these hang in is not as old as the sculptures (1941).
I spoke to the Postmistress for a few minutes as she had no customers. She told me that she was sold out of the Murals stamps, and seemed honored that I was there to appreciate the artwork. She told me of a newspaper article on the history of these pieces, but could not give me the reference, and I have not been able to find it on the web.
Next stop, Elizabethtown (on Wednesday)!
-Paul
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10:20:26am
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
A couple of years ago a friend and I became interested in PO murals after visiting the main post office in Oak
Park IL. We were in town to visit the various Frank Lloyd Wright creations.
As a result, purchased an interesting and informative book, “Wall-to-Wall America: Post-Office Murals in the Great Depression”. Karal Ann Marling, (Two editions, 1982 and 2000).
It’s a scholarly volume tracing the history and politics of the WPA, as well as the PO aspect.
Book is ready available on the resale market.
Some readers have criticized the quality of the book’s images. But for me, the historic narrative offset that concern. (Does one judge Leonardo’s “The Last Supper” based on a photo in a book?)
There’s also a nice mural in the PO in La Jolla, California. (A short walk from the LJ Women’s Club, another important historic structure.)
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
'
https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/post-office-bas-relief-boyertown-pa/ ... three (sic?) plaster bas reliefs by Moissaye Marans, created under the auspices of the Treasury Section of Fine Arts in 1941.
http://www.wpamurals.com/pennsylv.htm ... WPA murals by state
https://www.pa-mag.com/new-deal-post-office-art-in-pennsylvania-listing/ ... list from an article in the Sept/Oct 2010 issue of Pennsylvania Magazine of New Deal Post Office artwork ... the article is said to be available in its entirety from editor@pa-mag.com
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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08:15:30pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Wow, ikeyPikey.
Those are interesting resources. Was unaware of the plethora of examples within California. And fortunately, several remain intact.
Thx for sharing.
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09:18:51am
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Thanks ikey,
I posted a comment on the site for the Boyertown PO with corrections and an offer to provide my photographs.
-Paul
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
'
The War on Murals !@#$%!
San Francisco Will Spend $600,000 to Erase History
The school board has voted to destroy public murals by a New Deal-era Communist.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/opinion/sunday/san-francisco-life-of-washington-murals.html
Cheers, or not,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
What a shame that we seem to be in a period where ignorance is golden.
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this post
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
'
More background, more images, more suggestions ...
The Case for Keeping San Francisco’s Disputed George Washington Murals
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/26/arts/design/george-washington-san-francisco-murals.html
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
'
The sunshine of sanity breaking thru the clouds ...
San Francisco School Board Votes to Hide, but Not Destroy, Disputed Murals
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/arts/san-francisco-murals-george-washington.html
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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12:20:35pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
I like the old Roosevelt era postal murals.
If you want to take pictures of the murals you may be halted by a postal clerk who will cite post 9/11 anti-terrorist law that prevents photographing the interior of post offices by members of the public. At another post office without a mural, the clerk I knew shook his head and suggested maybe I could contact the postmaster, requesting a letter giving me permission to photograph the murals.
Interestingly, while I was forbidden to snap a few photos with my camera, my friend was using his phone as a camera and obtained some nice photos.
Bruce
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04:04:23pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
I asked the security guards at the San Antonio post office if I could take pictures. They said it was all right. I got some nice ones that I have posted here in the past.
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09:37:26pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Perhaps the uniformed people have the authority to give the nod but the "little" folks at the smaller post office here in Michigan felt compelled to cite the 9/11 regulations: No photos.
Though as noted my friend used his phone as a camera and he was ignored but me with my big clunky Canon was stopped.
Bruce
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09:46:43pm
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Maybe they didn't want pictures taken with a clunky camera. The images might not look so good!
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this post
re: Post Office Murals Stamps
I remember standing there watching the towers burn on 9-11 and thinking to myself that this changed everything! Little did I know all of the aspects of our lives that would change.
As I pursue my New Jersey collection and visit post offices, I usually photograph the exterior. I use my iPhone, which has a better camera then well, my camera! I have had no issues with anyone.
Back in the day, life was so much simpler. I had a friend in Australia who wanted photos of American police cars... pre internet. So I drove around my area and stopped at the local police departments and took pictures (with a film camera) of police vehicles. Only once was I even questioned! And once I explained myself to the curious officer he invited me inside to photograph pictures of old police cars they had on the walls!
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re: Post Office Murals Stamps
Ugly new fence. Your anti-terrorism tax dollars at work.
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey
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