Ongoing Resource to the Postal History Community
Historian has served as more than just a journal. It is a cornerstone of the mission of the Pennsylvania Postal History Society (PaPHS). Honoring our commitment to research, education, and community. This award-winning publication is published quarterly, bringing together original scholarship, member contributions, and historical insights that illuminate Pennsylvania’s rich postal legacy.
The August 2025 issue of the Historian was another stunner from Editor Hal Klein. He starts with an interesting short article by Roger Curran on the “Ellipse Cancels From a Few Smaller Pennsylvania Towns.” These barred oval cancels were popular in the late 19th century. We are even treated to an advertisement for these devices.
A look into an A-to-B-to-C article by Michael Wilson. The article is titled, “From Blood’s Despatch to Private Die Proprietary Stamps: It’s all in a Cover.” The first illustration is an illustrated hotel cover from Philadelphia to Canton, PA. The hotel is the Mansion House, the sender is Asa Pratt, and there is a Blood’s local stamp in addition to the 3-cent 1851-57 stamp. We learn that Dr. David Jayne owned the hotel. Dr. Jayne was a seller of patent medicines. This leads us to the Dr. D. Jayne & Son, private die propriety stamps and the Dr. D. J. & S. cancellation on a block of nine 5/8-cent blue 1898 Battleship revenue stamps.
Rick Leiby has penned a fascinating and elaborately illustrated article on the “Paid (arc) Rate Markings on Maritime Mail From Philadelphia – Part One.” With this article, Rick gives a tip of his hat to recently deceased member, Dick Winter, someone many of us leaned on at one time or another. PaPHS respectfully remembers Dick Winter and his impact on the postal history community.
Here is a quick look at a few other articles that you could find in our August 2025 issue:
- “Congressional Correspondence,” our Editor Hal Klein shows a cover to Pennsylvania Congressman Francis James in 1841. We get a unique view of the politics of the day.
- “Additional Correspondence to Francis James, Esq.” Bill Schultz shows us more politics and personalities of the day based on correspondence three years earlier than Klein’s article.
- Michael Wilson tells us about the man, Louis Marie Clapier, behind Philadelphia’s Clapier Street.
- Bob Rufe lets us climb around in his family tree to meet several Rufes who were Pennsylvania Postmasters, beginning with his great-grandfather in 1892.
Whether you’re a longtime collector or newly curious about Pennsylvania’s postal legacy, the Historian offers a rich and rewarding way to deepen your connection to the past. Each issue brings fresh insights, member contributions, and stories that keep our shared history alive. Become a PaPHS member today and receive your own copy of the next issue – delivered quarterly and crafted with care for the postal history community.
PaPHS encourages members to be involved with the Historian. Please, if you have a collection, event, or project you want to highlight, send an e-mail to paphs1974@gmail.com to find out how you can be featured in the journal’s next issue. Thank you!
We want to hear from you!
Share your favorite tidbit of postal knowledge from the August issue in the comments below, or let us know a topic you’d like to see explored in a future edition of the Historian. Your insights and curiosity help shape the stories we tell.
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