The
Empire State Postal History Society was formed in 1967. At
that time, a group of cover collectors who had been exchanging
postal history information in an informal manner decided their interests
would be furthered by an organized Society. By 1968, the membership
had grown to more than 50 men and women, residing in upstate New York,
but including some members from the metropolitan New York City area
and a few from out-of-state.
In
1969, we drew up and duly approved our Constitution and Bylaws which
formally set forth our purpose … to advance the knowledge
of the postal history of the State of New York by means of education
and historical research; to acquire and disseminate through publication,
exhibition or otherwise information relative to the organization and
development of post offices and postal systems in the State of New
York.
In
1970, we published our first book Federal Post Offices of New York
State 1792–1969, a monumental work by the late Lee S. DeGraff,
which led to similar works by other authors and publishers. Since
then we have published seven more books or pamphlets in an ongoing
program which has more scheduled, all valuable handbooks in our chosen
field.
Gradually
we have established the present pattern of two general meetings annually,
with regional gatherings at irregular intervals.
Our
research and publication includes, but is not limited to, postal markings
and rates; railroad and steamboat history as it relates to the mails;
New York State locals and independent mail carriers, whether
officially recognized or not; the history of the post offices and
their postmasters.
Members
are asked to contribute data of mutual interest for publication in
the bulletin or journal. Men and women with a sincere interest in
the objects of the Society are cordially invited to join. A canvass
of members’ collecting interests shows a strong trend to county
collecting. This is the collection of postal history, covers and
related matters on a county basis.
Recognizing
the need for an authoritative list of post offices, past and present,
by counties, the Society began publishing such a list, extracted at
little expense in time and money by one of the charter members from
the microfilm record in the National Archives. To the end of 1968,
some 14 counties had been published, listing date of establishment
and name of first postmaster for each office, name changes and discontinuance
or transfer dates up to about 1960
In
addition, the Society compiled and published a list of the Rural Free
Delivery (RFD) markings of the State and a listing of the known flag
cancels.
Another
pioneering project was the listing of New York State post offices
known to have used manuscript or handwritten town identifications
during the stampless period- generally recognized to have ended with
the date of compulsory prepayment in stamps, January 1, 1856.
In
the days when the postmaster was required to pay the cost of the marking
devices out of his own pocket, many small offices did not ever have
a hand-striking device for marking the town and date. Many of these
tiny offices with annual revenues less than $10 to $20, were discontinued
before 1856 and covers with their handwritten marking could be very
scarce indeed.
A listing has already been published; members have been asked to add
to it from their own collections or records. It is hoped that before
long a final listing of all the recorded offices can be printed; then
the fun begins, looking for the missing ones!
