Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

2003 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Art Exhibition

The 52 winning entries to the 2003 Federal Junior Duck Stamp state competitions are on view.

July 1, 2003 – August 3, 2003

The 1847 Issue: America's First Stamp

Explore this comprehensive collection of 1847 stamps and covers, selected from a philatelic album of more than 1,000 pages currently housed in Switzerland.

November 16, 2002 – June 9, 2003

Postal Museum

Town and Country

On view are two highly detailed, fully functional, 1/6-size models of 19th-century mail delivery vehicles.

August 9, 2002 – February 4, 2003

Postal Museum

Philatelic Firsts from the National Postal Museum

See philatelic firsts including the first U.S. postage stamp and airmail cover.

August 23, 2002 – October 28, 2002

Postal Museum

As Precious as Gold

A 42-ounce gold nugget, mining tools, maps, personal items, photographs, and a dog sled used to deliver the mail illustrate the story of the 1897–98 rush for gold in Alaska and the Klondike.

October 7, 1998 – September 9, 2002

Postal Museum

This exhibition of stamps, books, photos, and illustrations honors the life of Harlem Renaissance poet and writer Langston Hughes (1901-1967), known for his lyrical, jazz-tinged interpretations of African American life.

February 1, 2002 – August 2, 2002

Postal Museum

Stampin' the Future

These 99 winning stamp designs were created by children ages 8-12 from nearly 30 countries; four of which were issued as U.S. postage stamps in July 2000.

May 23, 2001 – June 17, 2002

Postal Museum

Columbus' Voyage of Discovery: The Columbian Series of 1893

See the first large-format commemorative stamps issued in the United States: the 1893 Columbian issues.

March 8, 2001 – May 6, 2002

Postal Museum

Roberto Clemente

One of baseball's great icons -- Roberto Clemente Walker (1938-1972), who was honored on 2 U.S. postage stamps -- is highlighted in this exhibition.

April 1, 2001 – January 25, 2002

Postal Museum

The Graceful Envelope: 2001

On view are approximately 50 hand-crafted envelopes -- with the theme "200 Years of the Nation's Capital" -- submitted by calligraphers from around the world for the museum's 7th Annual Graceful Envelope contest.

July 19, 2001 – August 25, 2001

Postal Museum

Mayhem by Mail

See objects used in the commission of postal crime, including a 1920s Tommy gun and fraudulent mail advertisements.

October 16, 1998 – April 23, 2001

Postal Museum

The Graceful Envelope: 2000

Calligraphers from around the world submitted hand-crafted envelopes for the museum's 6th annual Graceful Envelope contest. These 75 were selected to go on view.

May 5, 2000 – April 15, 2001

Postal Museum

Presidential Mail: On Official Business

"Franked" envelopes carry signatures of presidents from Jefferson to Carter.

January 19, 2001 – March 26, 2001

Postal Museum

Posted Aboard R.M.S. Titanic

Learn about the five postal sea clerks who perished aboard R.M.S. Titanic.

September 17, 1999 – March 12, 2001

Postal Museum

Recounting Roosevelt Presentation Albums, 1903-1905

These three rare philatelic presentation albums were given as favors during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.

July 26, 2000 – February 23, 2001

Postal Museum

Town and Country

On view are 2 highly detailed, fully functional, 1/6-size models of 19th-century mail delivery vehicles used in both urban and country settings.

September 22, 2000 – January 15, 2001

Postal Museum

Tour de France Winner Lance Armstrong's Bicycle and Jersey

On view are Lance Armstrong's United States Postal Service jersey and a replica of the bicycle that he rode in the 1999 Tour de France Race.

July 24, 2000 – September 5, 2000

Postal Museum

Just Ducky: The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program

This exhibition of juried artwork by students from the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is designed to encourage wetlands conservation awareness through the arts.

June 30, 2000 – August 3, 2000

Postal Museum

More American Stamps

On view are most American stamp issues.

October 12, 1997 – May 25, 2000

Postal Museum

Undercover: The Evolution of the American Envelope

Trace the evolution of envelope manufacturing in the mid-1900s through patent models from 1849-1879, illustrations, and stories of the inventors.

May 6, 1997 – May 25, 2000

Postal Museum

Manning the Post: A Woman's Job

Learn about Mary Katherine Goddard, who served as postmaster of Baltimore from 1775 to 1789.

December 18, 1997 – May 25, 2000

Postal Museum

Missing You: Last Letters from World War II

Opening on Veterans Day, this exhibition features the last letters written by six members of the U.S. armed forces during World War II.

November 11, 1999 – April 30, 2000

Postal Museum

Rural Routes: Folk Art Mailboxes of America: 1999

Photographs of the top 5 finalists in the nationwide 1999 Folk Art Mailbox contest are on view.

October 8, 1999 – April 13, 2000

Postal Museum

The Graceful Envelope: 1999

These 75 hand-crafted envelopes were selected from those submitted by professional calligraphers from around the world for the museum's 5th annual Graceful Envelope contest.

May 1, 1999 – October 31, 1999

Postal Museum

Down with the FRAUDS: Taxation as Consumer Protection

Learn how revenue stamps identified imitation food products and paid for enforcement of new consumer laws starting in the 1870s.

March 12, 1999 – September 10, 1999

Postal Museum