Virtual Exhibitions

The below virtual exhibits are available online only; they are not on display in the museum.

Free Frank front from England, with a Sunday postmark
Free Franks

Congress has generally reserved free franking privileges for the Legislature. However, it has authorized exceptions from time-to-time. Examples of some of these exceptions appear on covers in this collection.

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3-cent Byrd Antarctic Expedition II President Franklin D. Roosevelt sketch, Scott #733
Farley’s Follies

Postmaster General James A. Farley was not a stamp collector. But at the very beginning of the FDR administration, he was determined to further ingratiate himself with the “Boss,” as he called Roosevelt, by giving him unusual examples of new postal issues.

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Illustration of Owney the dog on a mailbag
Owney: The Mascot of the Railway Mail Service

From local celebrity to world traveler, this scrappy dog's story touched hearts and fired imaginations across the Nation and around the world.

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front of the National Postal Museum at night with windows illuminated showing stamp images
Awesome Things to See at the National Postal Museum

Objects displayed in the museum's various exhibitions document the history of the U.S. postal service and showcase the beauty and lore of stamps. Thousands of objects are on display in the museum, each offering visitors a chance to see "the real thing."

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3.50e Vasco da Gama's Route to India stamp
Allan Lee Collection of Map Stamps: Volume 6

Maps and Their Elements
Allan Lee’s collection of maps on stamps represents thirty-four years of collecting passion. The intensive historical and cartographic research that he and his assistant, Wilfrid Webster, conducted took years to compile, document, and authenticate. Lee traveled to 110 countries and corresponded with their national libraries and archives in this pursuit.

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2-cent Frank Lloyd Wright stamp
Guggenheim Museum Opens in New York

On October 21, 1959, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened in New York City. The museum's building was designed by legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. To celebrate this event, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different postage stamps with connections to the Guggenheim Museum and Frank Lloyd Wright.

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Jimi Hendrix Forever stamp
In Memoriam: Jimi Hendrix

On September 18, 1970, legendary musician Jimi Hendrix died. In celebration of Hendrix's life and music, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different postage stamps with connections to Jimi Hendrix and the era in American history that he helped shape.

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33-cent I Love Lucy stamp
I Love Lucy Premiers on CBS

On October 15, 1951, real life husband and wife Desi Arnaz and Lucile Ball first appeared as the fictional married couple Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on CBS's newest television show I Love Lucy. Nine seasons later, the two had cemented themselves in American television history forever.

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13-cent California state flag stamp
California Becomes a State

On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union as the 31st American state. In celebration of California's birthday, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different objects and postage stamps with connections to the state of California.

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34-cent Fermi stamp
World’s First Self-Sustaining Nuclear Chain Reaction Produced

On December 2, 1942, the Manhattan Project’s team of scientists produced the world’s first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago. To commemorate this important accomplishment, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different objects with connections to this event.

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34-cent Alfred Nobel and Obverse of Medals stamp
Nobel Prize Winners of 2009

And a Look Back at Past Recipients
To honor the recipients of the 2009 Nobel Prizes, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit to highlight the winners' achievements and look back on past recipients.

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29-cent Neptune and Voyager 2 stamp
Planet Neptune Discovered!

On September 23, 1846, Astronomer Johann Galle pinpointed the planet Neptune through a telescope at the Berlin Observatory in 1846. To celebrate this event, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different postage stamps with connections to the Planet Neptune and the timeline of its discovery.

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1-cent Pilgrim Tercentenary The Mayflower stamp
Mayflower Departs England for the New World

On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower set sail for the New World. In celebration of this historic event, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different objects and postage stamps with connections to the Mayflower and the Pilgrims.

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1-cent Americana - Inkwell and Quill stamp
Ray Bradbury

The Man, His Life and His Work
Ray Bradbury wrote numerous books, articles, poems and short stories and is remembered as one of the great science fiction and fantasy writers of the 20th century.

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3-cent Everglades National Park stamp
President Truman Dedicates Everglades National Park

On December 6, 1947, President Harry Truman dedicated the Everglades National Park in the state of Florida, protecting more than 2,000 square miles of wetlands and wildlife. In celebration of this event, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit showcasing the history and wildlife of one of America’s most unique treasures.

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Hoja de recuerdo del Campeonato Mundial de Fútbol de 2010
Copa Mundial de la FIFA Sudáfrica 2010

Esta exhibición virtual destaca una gran tradición deportiva, con sellos de varios de los países que anteriormente han sido honrados con la organización del torneo.

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Shown under an ornately carved stone arch, a young woman holds a baby on her lap as she sits on a curving gold chair.
El Arte de las Estampillas Navideñas

Obras de la Galería Nacional de Arte (Exhibición virtual)
Desde 1970, el Servicio Postal de los EE. UU. ha emitido anualmente dos temas generales de sellos navideños: uno "tradicional" y otro "contemporáneo". Las estampillas tradicionales tienden a estar basadas en obras de arte religiosas, mientras que las estampillas contemporáneos suelen tener un tema secular. Para mostrar esta tradición, la Galería Nacional de Arte y el Museo Postal Nacional se han asociado para crear esta exhibición virtual, que explora el arte detrás de las estampillas navideñas de EE. UU.

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Postal 'Navidad en el extranjero de 1918' con una ilustración de varias tropas mirando a través de paquetes
Navidad 1918

Más de dos millones de hombres y mujeres del servicio militar estadounidense estaban estacionados en Europa cuando la declaración del Armisticio el 11 de noviembre de 1918 puso fin a la Primera Guerra Mundial. El personal de servicio desplegado de las Fuerzas Expedicionarias Estadounidenses (AEF) pasó de estar listo para el combate, avanzó para ocupar Alemania y comenzó los preparativos para la desmovilización. Muchos, que esperaban regresar a su hogar en los Estados Unidos para la Navidad de 1918, no pudieron, pero con la ayuda de la Cruz Roja, los funcionarios militares y postales ya tenían planes para entregar la Navidad por correo.

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ilustración de tres farolillos rojos en un sello
Sellos Postales del Año Nuevo Lunar

El Servicio Postal de EE. UU. celebra el ciclo de 12 años del calendario lunar chino con una serie de sellos postales.

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Estampilla de la Ley de derechos electorales de 1965
La Experiencia Negra

Afroamericanos en Sellos Postales
Desde la fundación de los Estados Unidos, los afroamericanos han desempeñado un papel fundamental en la formación de la historia y el patrimonio estadounidense. Sus contribuciones a Estados Unidos han incluido los campos destacados por Americanos famosos de 1940 y muchos más. Esta exhibición virtual muestra la experiencia negra en los Estados Unidos a través de la lente de los sellos postales estadounidenses.

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37-cent Thurgood Marshall stamp
Thurgood Marshall: Un Legado Eterno

Uno de los mayores pioneros de los derechos civiles de Estados Unidos
Cuando Thurgood Marshall fue nombrado miembro de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos el 13 de junio de 1967, ya había dejado su huella en el "tribunal más alto del país".

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Sello postal de Abraham Lincoln de 4 centavos
Lincoln de Jefe de Correos a Presidente

Un servidor público dedicado, el primer puesto de servicio civil de Lincoln comenzó a la edad de veinticuatro años como jefe de correos de la oficina de correos de New Salem, Illinois.

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Un sello honrando las contribuciones de los hispano-americanos
Celebrando la Herencia Hispana

Gente, Lugares y Eventos en Sellos Postales
Los sellos postales realzan lo que valoramos como pueblo y como cultura, y la exhibición Celebrando la Herencia Hispana: Gente, Lugares y Eventos en Sellos Postales, del Museo Postal Nacional, arroja nueva luz sobre las numerosas contribuciones de los hispano-americanos y latinos a la exploración, la cultura, el crecimiento , y la defensa de los Estados Unidos.

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Sello postal de Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker

Roberto Clemente Walker: El Grande
Esta exposición contó con uno de los grandes iconos del béisbol - Roberto Clemente Walker (1938 a 1972), quien fue honrado en dos sellos de los EEUU.

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sello de correo aéreo de Corte Gaillard de 40 centavos
Sellos de la Zona del Canal de Panamá

Aunque existió como entidad emisora de sellos postales durante solo unos setenta y cinco años, la Zona del Canal de Panamá tiene una larga historia.

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