Literary Arts

Topical Reference Page

Find resources related to the literary arts on the National Postal Museum's website.

5-cent ultramarine Louisa May Alcott single

About U.S. Stamps - American Authors

Exhibition

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About U.S. Stamps - American Poets

Exhibition

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Out of the Mails - Colonial Handwriting Tutorial

Exhibition

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About U.S. Stamps - Edgar Allan Poe Issue

Exhibition

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Epistolary Fiction

Epistolary novels use letters to tell a story. Hundreds of authors have found their way into telling a story by sharing their characters’ correspondence. Even as letters have made way to emails and text messages, the idea of using written messages to tell a story continues. Learn more about this unique story telling methodology.

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The Black Experience - Famous Poets and Writers

Exhibition

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In Appreciation of Letters

Interested in learning more about the human impact of historic events? Look no further than personal letters!

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In Her Words

February 2, 2018 - September 5, 2018

Exhibition

World War I was a watershed for global political, economic, and social change, and for women’s rights and labor in the United States. During the war, women officially served in and alongside the military in unprecedented numbers and in ways that shaped the professionalization of women’s work. Through the letters and artifacts of four women, visitors can explore unique, personal perspectives on life, duty, and service during the war.

Image: Army nurse, Camp Sherman, Ohio, 1918
Grace (Mechlin) Sparling Collection, Gift of Lillian S. Gillhouse, Women’s Memorial Foundation Collection

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About U.S. Stamps - Joel Chandler Harris Issue

Exhibition

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About U.S. Stamps - Joseph Pulitzer Issue

Exhibition

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29-cent Little House on the Prairie stamp

Women on Stamps: Part 3 - Laura Ingles Wilder

Exhibition

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Letter Writing in America

This article explores the place of letter writing in American history, revealing through the words of its citizens the nature of American life and documenting the country’s search for a uniquely American identity.

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Related Blogs

Five seated people in a panel discussion

What Makes a Letter a Letter?

04.26.2018

As National Letter Writing Month comes to a close, we'd like to share highlights from the Smithsonian Institution's most recent Material Culture Forum, which took place at the National Postal Museum and explored letters in many mediums.

Learn more About What Makes a Letter a Letter?

Ray Bradbury posed in front of a bookshelf

Remembering Author Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)

06.06.2012

On June 5, 2012, pulitzer prize winning science fiction and fantasy author Ray Bradbury passed away. In honor of this important figure in the history of American literature, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum has published a mini-online exhibit: Ray Bradbury: The Man, His Life & His Work

Learn more About Remembering Author Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)

Writing Home: One Couple’s Letters from the Civil War

05.05.2011

“My Love, Once more I am going to try to write to you under difficulties as usual.”

Learn more About Writing Home: One Couple’s Letters from the Civil War

A TwainTennial

11.29.2010

Does it seem as though you’ve heard a lot more about author Mark Twain lately? The author was born in Florida, Missouri as Samuel Clemens on November 30, 1835 making this year, the 175th anniversary of his birth.

Learn more About A TwainTennial