Chief curator Daniel Piazza shares intimate knowledge, little-known facts and secrets about the stories told in “Baseball: America’s Home Run,” highlighting some of the spectacular objects on display, including discussions with key lenders to the exhibition on artifacts never-before displayed for pubic view.
International Baseball Stamps
I'm Dan Piazza curator of the National Postal Museum exhibition, Baseball: America's Home Run on view until January 2025.
Join me for an inside look at some of the most exciting objects from this blockbuster show that explores America's national pastime through stamps, mail, and memorabilia.
The world's earliest baseball stamps were issued by countries with long historical and commercial ties to the United States.
They reflect the sport's global spread alongside U.S. military and business interests.
Let's take a closer look.
This 1934 issue from the Philippines is the world's first baseball-themed postage stamp.
It promotes the 10th Far Eastern Championship Games.
A close call like that seen on this 1935 stamp from Colombia caused a stadium-clearing brawl at a Barranquilla versus Cartagena baseball game in the same year the stamp was issued.
Nicaragua placed a tax on mail paid by this 1937 postage stamp showing a batter to help fund the Central American and Caribbean game.
The world's fourth baseball stamp, this 1938 issue from Panama, also promoted the Central American and Caribbean games.
Between 1969 and 1981, Little League teams from Taiwan won 10 out of 13 World Series Championships in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
This stamp set commemorates their 1972 victory.
The Caribbean nation of Grenada issued a set of 81 stamps featuring major league baseball players including Cincinnati Reds great, Pete Rose.
The next year however Rose was accused of gambling on baseball games and permanently banned from the sport.
Future printings of the stamps removed his image.
Canada issued this stamp commemorating a documented 1838 baseball game played in Ontario Province.
As a subtle jab at claims the sport was invented in New York in 1839.
On May 6, 1937 a Brooklyn Dodgers versus Pittsburgh Pirates game at Ebbets Field was interrupted by the German dirigible Hindenburg flying low overhead.
The moment is pictured on this 1993 stamp from Antigua and Barbuda.
A few hours later the airship fell to the ground in flames at Lakehurst, New Jersey.
For more on the intersection of postal and baseball history visit the National Postal Museum exhibition, Baseball: America's Home Run online at postalmuseum.si.edu/baseball
