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Smithsonian sunburst Smithsonian National Postal Museum
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    Visit »

    Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

    Admission is always free!

    2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
    Washington, DC 20002

    The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

    street map of Postal museum

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    The museum's Atrium
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    People in front of log post office building
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Oddly Interesting
  • Home
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  • Oddly Interesting
  • Things That Marked the Mail
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Things That Marked the Mail

Postal systems have long made various marks on the mail in their care. Postage stamps, introduced in the 1840s, indicate that the item's postage has been paid. Cancellation marks show that mail has been accepted into the post and that the stamp, having done its duty, can not be reused. But even within such regular markings, there are those that stand out. As you will see, mail has also been marked in some more unusual ways.

Skull and crossbones fancy cancel handstamp
A Pirate Postmaster?

Learn more About A Pirate Postmaster?

Perforating paddle
Mangling the Mail to Save It

Learn more About Mangling the Mail to Save It

Rolling pin canceller
A Baker's Touch

Learn more About A Baker's Touch

3-cent Poultry Industry Centennial stamp
The Chicken Stamp

Learn more About The Chicken Stamp

  • Español

Oddly Interesting

  • Things That Carried the Mail
    • Do-It-Yourself Mail Sorter
    • A Floating Mailbox
    • Watch Out Below!
    • Cruise Missile Mail
  • Things That Marked the Mail
    • A Pirate Postmaster?
    • Mangling the Mail to Save It
    • A Baker's Touch
    • The Chicken Stamp
  • Things That Traveled in the Mail
    • A Dead Egg
    • Mail That Falls from Trees
  • What the Well Dressed Carrier Wears
    • Keeping Warm
    • The Postman Always Knocked Twice
    • Leather Face
  • Animals and the Mail
    • Buzzing Through the Mail
    • Mail Clerks Are a Dog's Best Friends
  • Conclusion
  • Outline
‹ Cruise Missile Mail up A Pirate Postmaster? ›

HomeSmithsonian National Postal Museum

Visit »

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

street map of Postal museum

Learn more
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Owney, the Railway Mail Service Mascot

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