“Call for Papers” Issued for Winton M. Blount Symposium on Postal History
Call for Papers:
The Winton M. Blount Symposium on Postal History
Nov. 3-4, 2006
National Postal Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
CFP Deadline: July 1, 2006
Sponsored by:
National Postal Museum, Smithsonian Institution
American Philatelic Research Library/American Philatelic Society
What is postal history?
Rarely do scholars of postal organizations and systems meet and discuss their ideas and research with scholars of philately. In an attempt to bridge this gap, the National Postal Museum and the American Philatelic Society will host a national conference to bring together these two research groups.
The Winton M. Blount Symposium gathers together scholars, philatelists and the interested public for a conference at the National Postal Museum. The conference aims to integrate philately and the history of postal operations within the broader context of American history. This conference will promote research, increase public awareness and bring national visibility to resident scholars, libraries and resources.
The conference will open Friday evening Nov. 3 with a reception and plenary panel discussion on the topic “What is postal history?” Invited speakers include Michael Laurence, editor, “Classics Chronicle”; Richard R. John, professor, University of Illinois at Chicago; John Willis, historian, Canadian Postal Museum; and Maynard H. Benjamin, president and CEO, Envelope Manufacturers Association.
Possible themes to address:
- Challenges of communication on the frontier
- Transportation and the mail
- Rates, routes and regulation
- Communication and the Information Age
- The technology of moving the mail
Deadline for proposals: July 1, 2006
Both individual papers and panel proposals will be considered. Proposals should be no more than one page long and be accompanied by a one-page curriculum vitae.
Please email complete proposals to Allison Marsh. Notification of accepted papers will be issued in mid August.
Conference papers will be posted on the National Postal Museum Web site and will be considered for possible publication.
Conference co-chairs are Cheryl R. Ganz, Allison Marsh and David L. Straight.
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