Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum Plans Exhibition of Hirzel Philatelic Collection

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum announced an agreement with the Museum für Kommunikation in Berne, Switzerland, to display materials from the renowned Charles A. Hirzel collection at the Postal Museum in 2008 and 2009.

In his lifetime, Charles A. Hirzel of Geneva created a collection that is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world of early United States stamps. The Museum für Kommunikation, formerly known as the “Swiss PTT-Museum,” houses the collection.

The Hirzel collection has not been on view in the United States since 1966.

The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., in the Old City Post Office Building across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information visit the museum’s Web site at postalmuseum.si.edu.

# # #