Today, a new forever stamp is for sale, and it is a tribute to the U.S. Post Office mascot. Bet you didn't know they had one, did you? In 1888, a fearless little dog trotted into the Albany, New York post office and spent the night on a pile of mailbags. He loved the mailbags, and was very attracted to either the texture or the scent. Back then, mail was delivered by trains, and Owney began hopping on the trains and traveling around the country with the mailbags. Mail trains used to have a lot of accidents, but the trains that Owney rode were always safe, so he became known as a good luck charm. He traveled all over the country, and everywhere he went, they would put a tag on him. When he died, he was stuffed and preserved, and has been on display in the Smithsonian museum for years now. Owney has inspired many children's books and there will soon be an Owney app and an e-book for i-Pads. So here is what the new stamp looks like. I took the stamp picture, the rest are from the web. Owney was loyal to the end.
"O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you."
1 Chron. 29:18
31 comments:
I just learned something new....never knew dogs carried mail back then!
Oh, what a touching story! Had never heard of it! Very interesting!
What a darling stamp. It should be popular. I guess they need to do something to boost sales. I loved the stamps that they did for the SPCA.
What a cute header and images today Ginny! Well this is the best story I've heard about N.Y. lately..so he was a good luck charm! I can't believe I kept reading.."and they stuffed and placed him in the Smithsonian!" (lol) Well, I can certainly understand why!! Thanks for a another sweet little piece of history-
You did a great post on Owney. As a stamp collector I knew about this stamp, but it was nice to read your history of him.
Since George is a stamp collector, I am not much more aware of stamps when they come to our home. Owney makes a great stamp, doesn't he???? Love to read those personal stories! Thanks!
Hugs,
Betsy
I never knew about the postal service mascot. What a wonderful story, Owney sounds like a very special little dog. I was at the post office this afternoon but I didn't look around, I'll bet they have a display about Owney's stamp.
AWWW this makes me want to cry and I don't know why. I guess he was everyone's dog. what a sweet looking pup!
Blessings, Joanne
Very interesting, Ginny and I love your blog background.
Another great story. You should have been a teacher, Ginny. I'm always learning something new here... Hope you and Phil are having a great week.
I'd never heard that story. Love it! Well, I don't love the fact hat Owney is stuffed and on exhibit. That part is a little weird!!
Best,
Bonnie
I had no idea! Thanks for sharing. I learn the coolest things on your blog :-)
What a touching story Ginny...
I have heard of the Smithsonian museum in Dan Brown novel!!
Great post, very interesting story...
Have a fabulous week ahead:)
have never heard about Owney, you know how much i love dog stories, so this is a big hit with me. the stamp is really cute, i will have to get these instead of the liberty bell next time. i don't buy stamps but one book a year or sometimes less. great story and thanks
Hi Ginny, Great post and story. Other than the taxidermy, I loved it! I grew up with a maternal uncle by marriage who lived next door to us. He owned a pet shop and had several stuffed real animals in his home. It was creepy to a little girl and I guess that is why I dislike seeing animals preserved in that manner. Pictures are good in my mind. Ha! Have a great day!
I love learning, as you know! And now I just learned something new! THANK YOU!
I've never heard about Owney before. Such a sweet stamp. :)
Great story!
Ginny, I am from Albany and I never knew this story! Thank you for sharing. Delightful story. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Glad you liked the swinging bed, lol. The hardest part was getting and out as that was when it really rocked, lol. Not sure how much sleep either of really had that night, but it goes down in the books as a delightful, fun, adventure of our Colorado trip. Blessings.
What an interesting story. To think a dog made it to the Smithsonian before me :-). Life is not fair. I hope you have a great day, Ginny. Blessings...Mary
Another fact I did not know...and a very interesting one at that.
And I hope I can hang around the Heaven Bound Train until the end! Very educational post, Ginny. I had no idea the P.O. had a mascot.
Thank you for keeping us in the know. I never knew that about the post office mascot.
I had no idea that the postal service had their own mascot. I have a friend who is a postmaster I'll have to ask her if she knows the story about Owney.
Love the story about him. He sounds like a real sweetie. I like that stamp too, I'll have to see if they are available here yet
What a cute little dog and stamp. I hadn't heard of him before.
Hi Ginny....
I learned a lot from your post today..
Neat story....The stamp is adorable...Will have to get me some..
Blessings
Thanks for that information - of course I had no idea! I learn so much from you.
I love the Forever Stamps - but they do make you forget how much stamps are right now.
I will get some 'dog' stamps.
Great story! Owney was a one of a kind dog and should most defiantly have his "own" stamp :-)
I did not know this story....Thanks
It's a darling of a stamp. And such a sweet story! Thanks for dropping by and like it here! New follower Ginny!
I hope the tags were not too heavy for the poor dog.
Yes, that was me, It must be 20 years ago when I shortly arrived to live in Singapore in 1990. My girls now 26 & 23 were so young then.
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