Georgia Postal History Society
History of the Society
The Georgia Postal History Society began as a suggestion by Ervin Underwood to form a society to study the postal history of Georgia. Four collectors, McCary Ballard, Frank Crown, Tom Kingsley, and William McDougall, responded to the suggestion and met with Underwood on 15 April 1984 to discuss the idea. At that time is was agreed to proceed with the formation of a society and Underwood volunteered to act as Secretary protem until a formal structure was established.
By the end of the year the structure of the society was agreed upon and the first elections conducted. The officers selected for the first three year term were Ervin Underwood, President; Francis J. Crown, Jr., Vice- President; Douglas N. Clark, Secretary; and Ernest C. Owens, Treasurer.
The society, which numbers 35 members, meets once a year at what is now called the Southeastern Stamp Expo (formerly Peach State Stamp Show). The annual meeting always includes an informative seminar by a GPHS member that is open to all members of the public.
Benefits of Membership
The Georgia Postal History Society is devoted to the study of all aspects of Georgia postal history. This includes the pre-stamp, or stampless, period that dates back to the late 1700s, the Confederate period, fancy cancels, machine postmarks, RFD markings, railroad markings, flight covers, first days, last days, use of a particular stamp on covers from Georgia and just about anything else you can think of that mixes stamp collecting and Georgia. Basically there is something for everyone.
Benefits of membership include a quarterly journal, Georgia Post Roads and the annual meeting held each year at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in Atlanta. You also have the benefit of meeting and corresponding with other members of the society, many of whom are recognized experts in their Georgia postal history specialty.
Are you interested in becoming a member? The best way to join is to come to the Southeastern Stamp Expo and meet current members and obtain a membership application. Or, download and complete the membership application (below link) and send to the Society's President, Steve Swain (at the address below).
The Georgia Postal History Society began as a suggestion by Ervin Underwood to form a society to study the postal history of Georgia. Four collectors, McCary Ballard, Frank Crown, Tom Kingsley, and William McDougall, responded to the suggestion and met with Underwood on 15 April 1984 to discuss the idea. At that time is was agreed to proceed with the formation of a society and Underwood volunteered to act as Secretary protem until a formal structure was established.
By the end of the year the structure of the society was agreed upon and the first elections conducted. The officers selected for the first three year term were Ervin Underwood, President; Francis J. Crown, Jr., Vice- President; Douglas N. Clark, Secretary; and Ernest C. Owens, Treasurer.
The society, which numbers 35 members, meets once a year at what is now called the Southeastern Stamp Expo (formerly Peach State Stamp Show). The annual meeting always includes an informative seminar by a GPHS member that is open to all members of the public.
Benefits of Membership
The Georgia Postal History Society is devoted to the study of all aspects of Georgia postal history. This includes the pre-stamp, or stampless, period that dates back to the late 1700s, the Confederate period, fancy cancels, machine postmarks, RFD markings, railroad markings, flight covers, first days, last days, use of a particular stamp on covers from Georgia and just about anything else you can think of that mixes stamp collecting and Georgia. Basically there is something for everyone.
Benefits of membership include a quarterly journal, Georgia Post Roads and the annual meeting held each year at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in Atlanta. You also have the benefit of meeting and corresponding with other members of the society, many of whom are recognized experts in their Georgia postal history specialty.
Are you interested in becoming a member? The best way to join is to come to the Southeastern Stamp Expo and meet current members and obtain a membership application. Or, download and complete the membership application (below link) and send to the Society's President, Steve Swain (at the address below).
| Georgia Postal History Society - Membership Application.doc |
Officers Contact
Our current slate of elected officers is: Steve Swain, President
jedit@fphsonline.com
President: Steve Swain
Vice-President: Open
Secretary-Treasurer: Nancy Clark and Steve Swain
President Emeritus: Douglas N. Clark
Our current slate of elected officers is: Steve Swain, President
jedit@fphsonline.com
President: Steve Swain
Vice-President: Open
Secretary-Treasurer: Nancy Clark and Steve Swain
President Emeritus: Douglas N. Clark
Georgia Post Roads
The official Journal of the Georgia Postal History Society, Georgia Post Roads, is published quarterly featuring articles on various aspects of Georgia postal history. Articles for publication may be submitted in the form of typed manuscript or, preferably, via email.
Articles by Society members and non-members are welcomed. Contact: Steve Swain, Editor.
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The Digital G.P.H.S. Bulletin and Georgia Post Roads
With a May 1985 publication date, the G. P. H. S. Bulletin was the first journal of the Georgia Postal History Society. The first three volumes were titled G. P. H. S. Bulletin. The second three volumes were titled Bulletin. The first issue of Georgia Post Roads was published in September 1991. The stated purpose was not as “a replacement for the GPHS Bulletin but rather a means to keep the lines of communication open between members of the society and to provide timely information of interest to all members.” The subheading in the banner of the early issues sums up this up: “Newsletter of the Georgia Postal History Society.” Beginning with the January 1994 issue GPR took on a more formal role as noted by the new subheading in the banner: “Publication of the Georgia Postal History Society.” Digital files, in an Adobe PDF format, of the G.P.H.S. Bulletin and Georgia Post Roads are provided below for viewing and/or downloading. Also provided is an index for the Bulletin and Georgia Post Roads. Guidance for searching the digital files is provided in the Searching the Digital Files document. The Adobe Acrobat Reader program (or an other PDF file viewer program) is needed to open the digital files. The Adobe Reader software is free and can be downloaded via www.adobe.com. |
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| Bulletin of the GPHS Vols 1-6 (1985-1991) |
| Georgia Post Roads Vols 1-5 (1991-1995) |
| Georgia Post Roads Vols 6-10 (1996-2000) |
| Georgia Post Roads Vols 11-15 (2001-2005) |
| Georgia Post Roads Vols 16-20 (2006-2012) |
| Georgia Post Roads Vols 21-25 (2013-2017) |
| Georgia Post Roads Vols 26-29 (2018-2021) |
| GPHS Bulletin Index |
| Georgia Post Roads Index |
| Searching the Digital Files |
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Society Member Literature Competition Awards SESCAL, October 9, 2021 Nancy B. Clark Gold: "Steamship City of Rockland" Silver: "World War II Trainee and POW Mail Camp Wheeler, Macon, Georgia" Great American Stamp Show, August 12-15, 2021 Francis J. Crown, Jr. Vermeil: "The 3c Nashville Provisional Adhesive: A Study in Postal History Research" Vermeil: As posted on the Civil War Philatelic Society’s website: “Crown Illustrated Censuses of Confederate Postmasters’ Provisionals” Sarasota National Stamp Expo, January 22-24, 2021 Francis J. Crown, Jr. Reserve Grand Award: “The 10¢ Red ‘Southern Confederacy’ Danville, Va., Provisional Envelope Large Gold: “The 10¢ Red ‘Southern Confederacy’ Danville, Va., Provisional Envelope Gold: “Athens, Georgia, Provisional Gutter Pairs” Southern California SESCAL, October 3, 2020 Francis J. Crown, Jr. Gold: “The 10¢ Red ‘Southern Confederacy’ Danville, Va., Provisional Envelope Gold: “Dr. H. H. Green: An Early ‘Junk Mailer’ Steve Swain Large Vermeil: “Thrilling Adventures in Stamp Comics” Large Vermeil: “Fake Town Spanish-American War Postal History” 
The Postal History of Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Steve L. Swain The Postal History of Saint Simons Island, Georgia is another venture into a new field offering a look into one aspect of Georgia postal history, a state with very few published resources. Author Steve Swain is a life-long resident of Georgia and the editor of Georgia Post Roads, the journal of the Georgia Postal History Society. He is well versed in his subject and relates the full story with tales dating back to the formation of the United States. Presenting not only the documented postal history of the best known of the barrier islands, Swain dug deep into the history of the island and its people and brings it alive in his extensive narrative. With more than 140 supporting images, you’ll learn all about the St. Simons Island post offices, postmasters, postal markings, and the people that have supported this popular island community. The 8.5 x 11-inch, full color, 68-page monograph can be ordered from La Posta Publications, POB 6074 Fredericksburg, VA 22403, or from the La Posta website www.lapostapub.com. Or, contact Steve Swain at jedit@fphsonline.com |
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Woodstock or Philomath, Georgia? An 1868-69 “Unclaimed” Cover
By Fred Rodriguez
I recently came across the cover shown in Figure 1, addressed to Dr. Samuel Glenn, Woodstock, Georgia, which immediately became of interest as I am a collector of Cherokee County, Georgia postal history.
Figure 1. To Dr. Samuel Glenn, Woodstock, Georgia.
Although Woodstock was incorporated in 1897, it was a well-established village with a post office prior to 1868. It became a railroad depot town in 1879. Finding a cover with a manuscript marking indicating the letter was unclaimed 8 months after it was posted was a noteworthy find and a great addition to my collection.
The Figure 1 cover was sent from Crawfordsville, Georgia in Oglethorpe County on August 3 (1868), franked with a 3-cent Washington stamp issued in 1868 (Scott No. 94). It was noted by the postmaster as “Unclaimed” on March 20, 1869, at Woodstock, Georgia.
Why unclaimed? Was the doctor an itinerant medic passing through town? Did he leave town or met with an unfortunate incident? On the contrary, Doctor Samuel Glenn was a local doctor born in 1803 in South Carolina and practiced medicine in Philomath, Georgia where he died on May 28, 1869, a little over 2 months after the “Unclaimed” marking on the cover. Mail delivery was somewhat uncommon then and a person needed to pick up their mail at the post office. I am sure that Dr. Glenn was known, but it remained at the post office for months. The doctor was possibly ill, and no one went to get the mail.
Most importantly, why was the mailing addressed to Woodstock, Georgia, instead of Philomath if Dr. Glenn lived and practiced medicine in Philomath, Georgia?
First settled in the 1790s, there was a village near Crawfordsville officially established as Woodstock in the 1820s. In those early years, the closest post office was about four miles away at States Rights, a stagecoach stop on the Atlanta-Augusta route. The people of Woodstock wanted their own post office. One was requested and approved by the U.S. Post Office Department in Washington. But the name had to be changed because there was another Woodstock in Georgia, i.e., the Cherokee County Woodstock. Consequently, the village chose the name Philomath for their town and post office. However, although the post office was called Philomath, many people still referred to the village as Woodstock. Thus the “Woodstock” address on the mailing to Dr. Glenn.
Regarding the name “Philomath”, it is a Greek word meaning “love of learning.” When the post office required a name change due to the existence of another Woodstock, Alexander Stephens suggested Philomath to honor the prominence of Reid Academy, a local boarding school for boys. The school was known throughout the state as one of the finest educational institutions of its time. Stephens was a frequent visitor to the city and often made speeches at the school. Woodrow Wilson’s father, Joseph, was often a guest minister there, and the future president was a frequent visitor as well. He recalled his time in Philomath fondly.1
The table below of Philomath postmasters, provided by Junemarie J. Brandt, USPS Historian, Washington, DC, indicates that on February 21, 1846, John Scott was appointed postmaster at Philomath, Oglethorpe County. He was replaced on February 9, 1849, by Thomas Morrow who was re-appointed as postmaster on August 6, 1860, and again on October 3, 1867 after the Civil War. Morrow’s tenure as postmaster ended February 15, 1882. As such, it is fair to conclude that it was Morrow who wrote the “Unclaimed” marking on the 1868-1869 mailing to Dr. Glenn.
The Figure 1 cover was sent from Crawfordsville, Georgia in Oglethorpe County on August 3 (1868), franked with a 3-cent Washington stamp issued in 1868 (Scott No. 94). It was noted by the postmaster as “Unclaimed” on March 20, 1869, at Woodstock, Georgia.
Why unclaimed? Was the doctor an itinerant medic passing through town? Did he leave town or met with an unfortunate incident? On the contrary, Doctor Samuel Glenn was a local doctor born in 1803 in South Carolina and practiced medicine in Philomath, Georgia where he died on May 28, 1869, a little over 2 months after the “Unclaimed” marking on the cover. Mail delivery was somewhat uncommon then and a person needed to pick up their mail at the post office. I am sure that Dr. Glenn was known, but it remained at the post office for months. The doctor was possibly ill, and no one went to get the mail.
Most importantly, why was the mailing addressed to Woodstock, Georgia, instead of Philomath if Dr. Glenn lived and practiced medicine in Philomath, Georgia?
First settled in the 1790s, there was a village near Crawfordsville officially established as Woodstock in the 1820s. In those early years, the closest post office was about four miles away at States Rights, a stagecoach stop on the Atlanta-Augusta route. The people of Woodstock wanted their own post office. One was requested and approved by the U.S. Post Office Department in Washington. But the name had to be changed because there was another Woodstock in Georgia, i.e., the Cherokee County Woodstock. Consequently, the village chose the name Philomath for their town and post office. However, although the post office was called Philomath, many people still referred to the village as Woodstock. Thus the “Woodstock” address on the mailing to Dr. Glenn.
Regarding the name “Philomath”, it is a Greek word meaning “love of learning.” When the post office required a name change due to the existence of another Woodstock, Alexander Stephens suggested Philomath to honor the prominence of Reid Academy, a local boarding school for boys. The school was known throughout the state as one of the finest educational institutions of its time. Stephens was a frequent visitor to the city and often made speeches at the school. Woodrow Wilson’s father, Joseph, was often a guest minister there, and the future president was a frequent visitor as well. He recalled his time in Philomath fondly.1
The table below of Philomath postmasters, provided by Junemarie J. Brandt, USPS Historian, Washington, DC, indicates that on February 21, 1846, John Scott was appointed postmaster at Philomath, Oglethorpe County. He was replaced on February 9, 1849, by Thomas Morrow who was re-appointed as postmaster on August 6, 1860, and again on October 3, 1867 after the Civil War. Morrow’s tenure as postmaster ended February 15, 1882. As such, it is fair to conclude that it was Morrow who wrote the “Unclaimed” marking on the 1868-1869 mailing to Dr. Glenn.
My “Woodstock” cover turned out to be just a curiosity, but it deserves a prominent place in my collection.
Endnotes
1 https://vanishingnorthgeorgia.com/category/philomath-ga/
The Postal History of Sapelo Island, Georgia by Steve L. Swain
2022 Annual Meeting Presentation
The 2022 annual meeting of the Georgia Postal History Society was held January 29 at the Peachtree Corners, Ga., Southeastern Stamp Expo. Steve Swain presented his research on the postal history of Sapelo Island, Georgia, one of the seventeen Georgia barrier islands. Please open the PowerPoint presentation provided on this page to view the presentation.
2022 Annual Meeting Presentation
The 2022 annual meeting of the Georgia Postal History Society was held January 29 at the Peachtree Corners, Ga., Southeastern Stamp Expo. Steve Swain presented his research on the postal history of Sapelo Island, Georgia, one of the seventeen Georgia barrier islands. Please open the PowerPoint presentation provided on this page to view the presentation.
| The Postal History of Sapelo Island, Georgia |
Patriotic Envelopes of Camp George H. Thomas, Lytle, Georgia, Spanish-American War by James C. Cate
2020 Annual Meeting Presentation
The 2020 annual meeting of the Georgia Postal History Society was held on February 1 at the Peachtree Corners, Ga., Southeastern Stamp Expo. James Cate presented his research and collection related to patriotic covers associated with Camp George H. Thomas and Lytle, Georgia during the brief Spanish-American War. Please open the PowerPoint presentation provided on this page to "read the story" and view the covers shown during the presentation.
| Patriotic Envelopes of Camp George H. Thomas |
"Absolutely Fireproof" Postal History
2019 Annual Meeting Presentation
The 2019 annual meeting of the Georgia Postal History Society was held on January 26 at the Peachtree Corners, Ga., Southeastern Stamp Expo. Michael Wing presented his research and collection related to hotel advertising covers announcing "Absolutely Fireproof" buildings. A most notable cover in Michael's collection is for the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta that burned in one of the worst hotel fires in history. Please open the PowerPoint presentation provided on this page to "read the story" and view the photos and covers shown during the presentation.
2019 Annual Meeting Presentation
The 2019 annual meeting of the Georgia Postal History Society was held on January 26 at the Peachtree Corners, Ga., Southeastern Stamp Expo. Michael Wing presented his research and collection related to hotel advertising covers announcing "Absolutely Fireproof" buildings. A most notable cover in Michael's collection is for the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta that burned in one of the worst hotel fires in history. Please open the PowerPoint presentation provided on this page to "read the story" and view the photos and covers shown during the presentation.
| "Absolutely Fireproof" Hotel Advertising Covers |
Camp Thomas - Chickamauga Park - Lytle Ga: Spanish-American War Postal History
2018 Annual Meeting Presentation and Discussion
The 2018 annual meeting of the Georgia Postal History Society was held on January 27 at the Norcross, Ga., Southeastern Stamp Expo. The presentation and discussion at the meeting explored Spanish-American War postal history related to three closely associated areas in Georgia: Camp Thomas, Chickamauga National Park (Battlefield) and Lytle, Ga. Please open the PowerPoint presentation provided on this page to "read the story" and view the photos and covers shown during the presentation.
2018 Annual Meeting Presentation and Discussion
The 2018 annual meeting of the Georgia Postal History Society was held on January 27 at the Norcross, Ga., Southeastern Stamp Expo. The presentation and discussion at the meeting explored Spanish-American War postal history related to three closely associated areas in Georgia: Camp Thomas, Chickamauga National Park (Battlefield) and Lytle, Ga. Please open the PowerPoint presentation provided on this page to "read the story" and view the photos and covers shown during the presentation.
| Camp Thomas-Chickamauga Park-Lytle, Ga: Spanish-American War Postal History |