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MUSEUM OF STAMPS & POSTAL HISTORY post rider Volume 33 • Number One • Fall 2017 David Ball Executive Director Stamp News Well Worth Saving! tamps on envelopes are part of post- al history. When the envelope tells a story or the cancel says “First Day of Issue”S you should leave the stamps in place. Our Usually, however, the only thing on the cov- er of interest is the stamp. Let’s look how we Rebuilding Season can safely remove it from the envelope. Dear philatelic friend, Up until about 20 years ago the adhesive It’s been three months since I became that held the stamp to the envelope was Executive Director (ED) of the Spell- water-activated. This meant to adhere it you man Museum. Before that you have to licked the gum and to remove it you soaked go back a dozen years since the institu- the piece of paper with the stamp on it in tion had one. Henry Lucas (Education) a bowl of water. Once the gum released and George Norton (Curator) have been you could dab the stamps dry with a paper • Note that the paper has no adhesive on here running programs, giving tours towel, place them between two sheets of it. The adhesive is still on the stamp and, as and maintaining our stamps and postal wax paper, and put a few heavy books on you would expect, is still sticky. However, history. Each week George conducts our top overnight to prevent curling. the solvent has broken down the adhesive evaluation service and Henry is visiting a Today things aren’t quite so simple. The sufficiently to not allow the re-application school or conducting a Boy Scout merit self-adhesive glue will not come off with of the stamp anywhere. Carefully lay the badge program. We are also excited to water. All is no lost however. Peter Butler, stamp face down on a paper towel. Don’t welcome Lelia Elliston as our Director writing in the October 2010 issue of The worry if it curls, that is normal. After the of Development. And then there are the American Philatelist explained the Win- Bestine has evaporated, (twenty minutes at dedicated volunteers that are here several ter method. William P. Winter, a chemist, the most), dip your finger in talcum pow- days a week. wrote a letter to the editor of The American der, just a touch, and wipe it on the back I have been thinking a good deal lately Philatelist explaining his ideas of a solution of the stamp. The stickiness will disappear, about what a stamp museum in the 21st to the problem. The letter was published in ready to accept a hinge and be mounted in century should look like. Suffice to say, the July 2008 issue and made mention of a your album. The stamp never really “gets our current approach would look very solvent called Bestine and a pinch of talcum wet,” so drying is not a big issue. I often recognizable to the great philatelists and powder. leave the stamps on paper overnight before stamp dealers who built it more than a • Use an eyedropper to “suck up” a small using talc. 50 years ago. Since 1960 the number of amount of Bestine and apply it, a few drops Protect your stamps by putting them collectors has drifted down, what we at a time, to the envelope side — as op- in an envelope (collectors often use collect has changed, and how we acquire posed to the stamp side — of the piece. Use semi-transparent glassine envelopes) or material has changed. Stamp dealer it sparingly. Allow it to soak through the in a stock book designed for stamps. In an James Lee, who recently won a major paper, which becomes translucent quickly. upcoming article we will discuss albums award from APS, says that 15 years Turn the piece over, roll it slightly, and you and exhibit pages you might consider. If ago 85% of his sales were from shows will see a corner of the stamp come away you need supplies (or stamps) come see us and 15% from the internet. Today his from the paper. Proceed to peel off the at the Spellman. We have new supplies for numbers are exactly reversed. It doesn’t stamp slowly. This process takes only a few sale in our store and often have gently used mean the hobby is dead. It means we seconds. Wait too long and you will have to ones from other collectors you can have start again. for substantially less. Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 • 1 e all know the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, the standard reference work for Wcollectors in the U.S. But what do you do if you have a stamp, or piece of postal stationery, Thoughts or other philatelic material from a foreign country, but it’s not listed in Scott? If you know what country it’s from, the best place to start is a catalog from one of the many other philatelic publishers Randy L. Neil around the world. Editor The library at the Spellman Museum has many of these. Have a printing error or color variety on a George V stamp that doesn’t seem to match the Scott description? Try the Stanley Gibbons Cata- log, the “Scott” of Great Britain. Have a gutter pair or booklet from Germany that you are wondering

was introduced to the Spellman Muse- In the Library by Jeff Brigham I um in the philatelic press when I was growing up in Kansas in my midteenage the value of? Try the Michel Catalog, or Stanley Gibbons, which has a specialized catalog of that years back when this great institution was country in English as well as its worldwide and regional catalogs. What year was that postal card being founded in the late 1950s. Because from Japan issued? Try the Sakura Catalog, which has English notations. I had been able to attend the 5th Interna- The country and world catalogs are located just to the left of the entrance to the library, classifi- tional Philatelic Exhibition in New York in cation number 350. On the wall is a chart of geographic groupings, showing in brief the code used 1956, I had been fortunate enough to see, throughout the library to designate the nations, territories and regions of the world. up close, the very awesome (the only term I For instance, it shows remember using to describe it to my friends that the letters M through when I got back home) stamp collection of S indicate various parts of Francis, Cardinal Spellman. Europe. P is north central Those were the days when our hobby had Europe, in general, PA is many regularly-published periodicals that Germany, PG is the Neth- served the pastime. I was a young writer for erlands, etc., so the loca- one of them (Weekly Philatelic Gossip) and tion of various catalogs of was fond of reading, many times a month, German stamps is 350:PA. about how diligently, and with a great deal (By the same country code of love, Cardinal Spellman actively promot- system, books specializing ed philately—especially how effective he in German revenues are at was in drawing young people to the pastime. 956:PA.) I had also visited Philadelphia’s unique The easiest way to find a general catalog for the country you are interested in is to check the National Philatelic Museum where part of chart, and peruse the shelves in that area, either by country or region. Try also other countries in the Cardinal’s collection was always on dis- the region, or a regional catalog. For example, Swiss catalogs often list Liechtenstein as well, and play—and witnessed dozens of kids poring Italian catalogs may also have the Vatican and San Marino. over it one Saturday when I was there. And perhaps you could help us! Almost all of our library’s holdings are from donations. We are I have always admired the Spellman Mu- always looking for new titles and updated editions of the ones we already have. Do you have a seum and have been continually awed over specialized collection, and have just acquired the latest year of that country’s or specialization’s these many years at its work in spreading catalog? the “gospel” of this hobby. And I am hon- Please consider donating the previous edition to the museum for a tax deductible receipt. It will ored to have the chance to help its work by find a good home and new usefulness for the collector community. And if we already have that becoming your editor. Thank you. edition, proceeds from its sale will further support the mission of YOUR museum!

Our Rebuilding Season ...Continued from page 1 must embrace change to stay relevant. As As we work toward reinstating our we “reissue” the Spellman expect to see us a non-profit status and obtaining museum lot more on the web. accreditation we remain the vibrant and We recently learned that the institution well-respected center for philatelic knowl- will have to reapply for tax-exempt status edge. We have a great facility and a library as well as the longer process of reaccred- with 15,000 volumes, all relying on your The Museum Post Rider is a itation. This makes for a period of rough support. Our stamps and postal history publication of the Spellman Museum sledding for a non-profit. We plan to retool amount to 2.5 million artifacts from the of Stamps & Postal History. Letters, every aspect of our institution. Bringing the holdings of Eisenhower, Ridgway, Steinway, articles, news items, and images should be Museum Post Rider newsletter back to life is and of course Spellman. Like many great sent to the Editor, Randy L. Neil, @ neil- just the start. We want you as a key ingredi- institutions we need revitalizing. [email protected]. Articles should ent to our “Spellman Reissue Campaign”. Please watch your mailbox for our “Re- be in a MS Word file; images as jpg Expect a new website, a new interpretive Issue Campaign” membership letter and or tif files at 300 dpi. experience when you visit and scholarly show your support. Great teams undergo ©All rights reserved. Material in this publications which highlight great rarities in rebuilding seasons in which they reinvent issue may not be reproduced without our vault. prior permission. themselves. This is ours. 2 • Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 News from the Vault John F. Kennedy useum Curator, George S. Norton, reports that, with the assistance of many Mvolunteers, our worldwide stamp and topical collections have been greatly ex- Exhibit Now in Gallery panded and improved with the addition of many missing and more recent issues received though donation. A summary of each collection is being prepared and will be listed in future newsletters and on the website so that all can have access to our great collections for enjoyment and research. The Curator will be working with the Collections Committee to establish an “Adopt a Collection” program to provide further expertise and financial support for the conserva- tion and expansion of each collection. Through this program our Museum members can share their specialized knowledge and expertise as a lasting contribution to philately. Membership Corner By Laurie Cooley t is an exciting time to be the membership coordinator at the Spellman Museum. ISince I assumed the position in July 2016, I have made every effort to reach every member, whether it be replacing a membership card, enrolling a new member or renew- ing. Our enrollment is growing. Refer a friend to the Spellman Museum or consider upgrading your membership. Your being a member is important to the Museum and to me. If you have any membership inquiries, contact me at 781-768-8367. I am always Education Director Henry Lukas is shown with ready to help. a National Park Ranger from the John F. Kennedy Birthplace in Brookline, Mass., holding a photo of Cardinal Spellman with JFK in the Museum.

MUSEUM OF STAMPS & he Spellman Museum of Stamps POSTAL HISTORY T& Postal History in Weston joined other museums this summer to celebrate the Staff Board of Trustees Centennial of President John F. Kennedy’s David S. Ball Yamil Kouri, MD birthday. Featured in the Museum’s main gallery are hundreds of stamps picturing our Executive Director Chairman 35th president from countries ranging from George S. Norton Michael Lawson Germany and France to Bhutan and Yemen. Curator of Collections Treasurer In addition, the exhibit includes numer- Henry Lukas Mary Rita Grady, CSJ ous stamps and envelopes that celebrate the Education Director Secretary various milestones in the president’s life in- cluding his Irish roots, his military service, Lelia Elliston Trustees his literary awards, his local elections, the Director of Development Helen Sullivan, CSJ, Michael Mead inauguration, the government agencies he Tinuvial Greenleaf Kathryn Edney, Joseph Mullin created and his assassination. Also featured Store Sales Ann Marie Grady, CSJ are photographs of the 1980 visit to the Jeff Brigham Mary-Anne Vetterling Museum by First Lady Jackie Kennedy, autographs from the Kennedy family and Librarian David DuBois, Norm Shufrin Cardinal Spellman’s connection to the Liz O’Keefe Nancy Clark, Bob Savage Kennedy clan. Assistant Librarian Jeffery Shapiro Original newspapers and magazines from Laurie Cooley Ex-Officio the Kennedy era are on view and the Mu- Membership Coordinator Rosemary Brennan, CSJ seum store has philatelic souvenirs related to JFK. In the other Museum galleries are Dr. Antoinette Hays exhibits of the history of rural free delivery, Volunteers comics on stamps, a tribute to Henry David Marc Jasmin, Patricia McDonough, CSJ, Jack Miller, Thoreau, mail carried by zeppelins, rare Joe Mullin, Victor Prepelitskiy, Mary Salustro, airmail materials and antique stamp games. Jeff Shapiro, Norm Shufrin, Mary Gorman, The exhibit runs until September 30. Note: Museum hours are Thursdays to Nancy Meyer, Bill Mann, Charles Lutcavage, Saturdays, noon to 5:00 and admission is $8 Richard Aronson, Tom Barner, Barbara Gentile, for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children Eric Hildebrant, George Cooley, ages 5-16. Admission is free for members. Ken Labarre. Bob Savage, Stephen Tauber The Museum has more information avail- able at 617-784-5838 or at info@spellman. The Spellman Post Rider is printed for us by the com. Or see our continually updated web- firm of Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions LLC with our thanks. site at www.spellmanmuseum.org.

Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 • 3 We all know a philatelic cov- er when we see one. Or do we? Anyone with a bent for postal histo- ry probably has covers in his or her collection which looked innocently non-philatelic when acquired. Then, through study, accident or a flash of insight, they discovered the covers’ philatelic genesis. Figure 1 I have a few such covers. All date from the Washington-Franklin era, when collecting covers began to be popular. Most appeared, at first glance, to be examples of normal post- al use. Until, that is, their back stories The Secret Lives of Philatelic Covers By Kevin Lowther/[email protected] emerged through a combination of when they were auctioned posthu- offered a similar cover, addressed in research, serendipity and intuition. mously by Eugene Klein in 1929-31. April 1909 in the same hand to J. C. The Steinmetz Connection Joseph operated the family iron and Hunt in Mount Kisco. The cover was Joseph A. Steinmetz, a prominent steel company. Edith’s firm special- franked with two one-cent stamps. Philadelphia industrialist, was among ized in making cylinders to transport One was an ordinary Scott No. 331, the the first philatelists to use covers to high-pressure gases. Toward the end other its blue paper sibling (Scott No. illustrate his collections. They featured of World War One, her company was 357). in his exhibit at New York’s Interna- producing a single item, for the mili- Then, while researching another tional Philatelic Exhibition in 1913. tary: a seamless portable container for subject in Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp What attracted me to the cover in poison gas. News, I stumbled across a letter from Figure 1 was the “PAQUEBOT” can- The Odd Couple Hunt, published in 1917, in which he cellation and the Azorean date stamp Instinct told me that there must be a claimed credit for discovering stamps for May 7, 1912. Only later did I focus tale behind the cover in Figure 2, ad- from the 1879 Bank Note issue on hard on the addressee—Edith Steinmetz. dressed to J. C. Hunt, Esq., in Mount paper. He said John Luff and John Edith was Joseph’s sister and business Kisco, N. Y. It is franked with an or- Klemann had confirmed his finding. associate. dinary two-cent stamp (Scott No. 332) (Scott lists only soft porous paper for The more I studied this cover, and, to its right, a two-cent stamp on this issue.) the more I thought it was at least blue paper (Scott No. 358).1 The letter Mystery solved: Hunt not only was quasi-philatelic. It is unusually was postmarked in early 1909 when a collector, but appears to have been attractive—perhaps sent to Edith by the experimental blue paper varieties a student of stamp papers. He has left someone who thought she would caused a stir among philatelists. us at least two covers with odd-cou- appreciate its exotic origin. More Was this cover a random occur- ple frankings to illustrate the contrast significantly, it has been handled with rence? It was certainly possible that between ordinary stamps and the blue care. Neatly opened, there is no sign the sender, having affixed the blue paper varieties. that it spent years stuffed in a drawer paper stamp, had to add a second, The Botanist Preferred Blocks of moldering correspondence. ordinary one to pay the double letter There is no mistaking the philatelic Edith had to be aware of her broth- rate. That was my working theory genesis of the Economist Stamp Com- er’s collecting interests. It is no stretch until coincidental discoveries revealed pany corner card (Figure 3) addressed to surmise that she eventually gave the truth. in care of the Washington, D. C., deal- him this handsome item. It might have First was an auction lot—Siegel er, H. F. Colman. The well-centered been in Joseph’s voluminous holdings Sale 1016 in November 2011—which block of four 20-cent stamps (Scott No.

4 • Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 419), precisely placed and crisply can- on July 1, 1913. Scott No. 419—the celled, grossly overpaid any conceiv- first 20-cent stamp issued among the able postage on the registered cover Washington-Franklins—appeared the following April to help fill the need for high-value stamps for Parcel Post packages. Many collectors missed this stamp, which was quickly supplanted in Figure 1 September 1914 by Scott No. 438 in the new perf 10 guage. Did this prompt Frank Tweedy, a collector in the nation’s capital, to ask Colman to obtain a block of four on cover that same month? Or did he have a stand- ing order with Colman to obtain select blocks on cover? Tweedy (1854-1937) was a botanist with the U.S. Geological Survey and had written on the flora of Yellowstone Figure 2 National Park. A serious philatelist, he mailed on September 16, 1914. relished blocks. How do I know this? But why this particular franking? An Internet inquiry revealed that, in The Economist Stamp Co. could have late 1913, Tweedy had advertised the chosen from any number of high value sale of his specialized collection of British colonies—entirely in blocks! All in the Family Meet Mr. and Mrs. Burfeind. I met Mrs. Burfeind first when I spotted the cover in Figure 4. She must have been a collector, I thought. Why else would someone send her a letter franked with a purposely wide-margined, plate number single of Scott No. 482? I became acquainted with Blanch’s husband George a year 0later when I obtained a large registered cover, addressed to him and bearing a 30- cent stamp (Scott No. 439, not shown). An Internet search disclosed only that George was a numismatist, so I theorized—and still believe—that the Figure 3 stamps. Was this a special request? manila envelope had been heavy with Let’s recall that the Post Office coins. That would explain the multiple letter rate and the 30-cent stamp. Because I had mounted these covers in different albums, I did not immedi- ately recognize the family connection. Then one day I was browsing the 1989 auction catalog for Pat and Ed Sisken’s Washington-Franklin postal history collection. And there was George Bur- feind again—recipient of a manifestly philatelic 1919 cover—franked with a block of six Rosback-perforated one- cent stamps (Scott No. 536). The Burfeinds were both philatelists, after all. Judging from federal census Figure 4 records, they also were childless. Their Department had abandoned its home, however, appears to have been short-lived use of Parcel Post stamps filled with their philatelic progeny. Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 • 5 A Trans-Atlantic Provenance cover in Figure 6. Captain Lukert, Ernest Malinow, an American collec- maybe as a favor, posted it to his tor living in England, once owned the commander in Coblenz, where both cover in Figure 5. I obtained it from were serving in the occupation force. Stephen Taylor, the American dealer June 28, 1919 was the long-awaited based across the pond, who purchased day when Germany signed the peace Malinow’s Washington-Franklin post- agreement at Versailles. al history collection. The cover is franked with a tete-be- The cover also is franked with the che pair of experimental Rosback stamps, which German were perforated 12 and a half. The stamps stamps were available briefly, but (Scott Nos. only in Washington, D. C., starting 98 and 100) in August 1919. The Brooklyn, N. Y., from the postmark thus was a red flag. Germania Philip H. Ward, Jr., predicted in the issue. They Sept. 6 edition of Mekeel’s that the Ros- were taken backs “are likely to be quite scarce.” from a The Moffat clan in Brooklyn were booklet probably aware of this. Fifteen-year- pane which old Huntington Moffat, the addressee, included was a collector. His uncle had been a two 7½ member of the American Philatelic So- pfennig ciety since 1893. They must have had a stamps and four of the 15pf value. The Figure 5 dealer or other contact in Washington mixed-denomination booklet pane who sent them some of the limited stamps must have struck Colonel supply of Rosbacks, from which they Peck’s fancy. They are scarce on cover. fashioned this cover, and perhaps oth- Philatelic as it clearly was, Colonel ers, soon after Ward sounded the alert. Peck must have treasured this beauti- The young Huntington would sus- ful cover for the rest of his life. tain his interest in philately. In 1934, Some covers are patently philatelic then working in a bank, he self-pub- and make no attempt to hide their lished a thoroughly unreadable pam- identity. Some are teasingly veiled. I phlet entitled “Profits in Stamps: A may be Comprehensive Guide to the Philatelic entirely Market for Stamps Issued by the Unit- mistaken ed States Since 1908.” in con- Moffat’s guide was intended for necting non-collectors who were “engaged in the lovely occupations which bring them into cover contact with postage stamps in consid- addressed erable quantities.” Like banking. to Edith Military Madness Averted Steinmetz On the morning of November 11, with her 1918, a few hours before the Armistice brother’s was to take effect, Colonel Robert H. collecting Peck was in a church steeple, ready interests. I to assault a well-defended position. may have His aide, Captain Edward P. Lukert read too much into the philatelic mar- Figure 6 was desperately trying to find him to riage of Blanch and George Burfeind. convey an order suspending combat. I may have exaggerated J. C. Hunt’s But the English-speaking German specialization in stamp papers. But commander had already stepped into that’s what makes the covers here, and no-man’s land to plead with Ameri- others like them nesting innocently in cans not to attack. His courage saved our collections, so fascinating. Each dozens of men on both sides who has a story to tell—eventually. would have died needlessly. Endnote By Googling Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp 1. The tandem use of Scott Nos. 332 and 358 News, I discovered that Colonel Peck (the latter on blue paper) was certified genuine by the Philatelic Foundation (certificate 437759 was a philatelist, which explains the dated July 12, 2006). 6 • Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 as they cross the globe in international Do You Remember? exchange, will carry with them some of From the Spellman Archives and News- the spirit of that stalwart President whose letters/By George S. Norton image they he June 1964 Newsletter reported bear. Ton the first day of issue ceremony His pursuit in Boston of the President Kennedy of peace, stamp. Over 1,600,000 of the stamps were his strivings sold in Boston that day. A luncheon was for harmony held in conjunction with the first-day cere- among the monies with 1200 persons in attendance. nations, his Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, mother of the strength in late President was the guest of honor and time of testing, was presented with the first album of the his youthful stamps by Postmaster General John A. hopes for a Gronouski. Richard Cardinal Cushing better world Archbishop of Boston and friend and -- all of these spiritual advisor of the Kennedy family, find wings in received the second album. Cardinal Cush- these stamps ing was honorary president of the Muse- to touch anew the hearts of men in every um and invited the Museum’s Executive place where people communicate with Director Sister M. Fidelma and nineteen each other.” The museum’s gallery fea- museum guests to attend the luncheon. tured a special exhibit of the new stamp In his invocation at the Kennedy me- as well as rejected designs of the Kennedy morial stamp ceremony, Cardinal Cushing stamp, on loan from the Post Office -De noted “We pray today that these stamps, partment in Washington. From the Education Director By Henry Lukas nyone who collected stamps as a child knows how helpful it was learning Aabout history, geography and other subjects they studied in school. This experience is the basis for the museum’s educational programs for elementary students. The museum offers programs for grades three to eight that are designed to complement classroom curric- ula as well as introduce youngsters to the fun of the life-long hobby of stamp collecting. Schools can both take field trips to the museum as well as having the Museum’s Education Director visit classrooms with collections of stamps. Visits include hands on activities (photo 1) with stamps featuring famous people, stamps from around the world and US stamps commemorating all fifty states. In addition, the Director gives a brief history of stamps of the postal system and by using t-shirts featuring well known stamps actually turns the young- sters into stamps. Groups that visit the museum also do a scavenger hunt in the main gallery to help them look more closely at the exhibits. The program is offered at minimal cost and is available any day during the week. In addition, official merit badge programs for Boy and Girl Scout plus Cub Scouts, Daisies and Brownies are offered after school and on weekends. All children in these programs pus those that visit the Museum with their parents must send themselves a Museum postcard to help them learn ow to properly Education Director Henry address a letter, where to place the stamp and to remind them of their visit. (Everybody Lukas is shown here with likes to get mail.) Also, all children take home free packets of stamps and are offered a one of the many school groups who visit the Muse- booklet about how to start a stamp collection. um each year. Members who know any elementary teachers and principals are asked to make them aware of the Museum’s programs and to contact Education Director Henry Lukas for more information and to schedule a visit. ([email protected]) Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 • 7 First Space Mail addressed to the President of the United States.

Ultra Rare Space Mail at the Spellman Museum

ational space imaging reconnaissance David S. Ball, RPSL satellite, codename CORONA. [email protected] During the Cold War the US Intel- ligence services were hard pressed to Discoverer XIV learn about military capability in East- to find new and faster ways to move ern Bloc nations (principally China the mail, was able to secure space for and the Soviet Union). Balloons carry- 28 covers addressed to high ranking ing cameras (Genetrix) at high altitude military and government officials. were tried starting on January 22, 1956 These were placed with a super-secret but were not reliable. High altitude Air Force/CIA photoreconnaissance U-2 spy planes were used to gather payload aboard an intercontinental intelligence, starting July 4, 1956, but Among the many treasures ballistic missile. were discontinued when Francis Gary housed at the Spellman Museum Ostensibly, the unclassified Program Powers was shot down by a Soviet of Stamps and Postal History is was called DISCOVERER. A press SAM May 1, 1960. It became clear that the very first letter from outer release announcing the DISCOVER- the best vantage point from which to space. Addressed to President Dwight ER series was issued on 3 December spy was outer space. D. Eisenhower during the height of 1958 identifying the initial launchings CORONA camera systems were the Cold War the cover, tucked in a as tests of the vehicle itself and later integrated into an Agena upper stage Corona spy satellite, shot into orbit in Iaunchings as explorations of environ- and launched into polar orbit using a November 1960 and was snagged as mental conditions in space. Biomedi- Thor booster from Vandenberg AFB, the returning capsule drifted by para- cal specimens, including live animals, CA. CORONA used an innovative chute towards a splashdown in the were to be carried into space and their constant rotating panoramic camera Pacific Ocean three days later. recovery from orbit attempted. After system, which provided a stable plat- Postmaster General Arthur E. the first three flights, however, the form which was constantly pointed to- Summerfield, in his continuing effort payload was switched to the first oper- ward the Earth. The basic camera tech- 8 • Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 On August 18, 1960, a U.S. Air Force plane recovered the Discoverer XIV capsule in midair over the Pacific Ocean; it was the first time any air- plane had ever recovered a satellite data capsule in flight. Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield next to President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon (holding his daughter Tricia).

Ultra Rare Space Mail at the Spellman Museum

nology was a breakthrough developed the use of two rather than one recov- 1 million sq. mi. with 24 flights. CO- as part of the Genetrix Project. Film ery vehicle(RV) which allowed two RONA covered 510 million sq. mi. was loaded into a recovery vehicle and missions from a single launch. The CORONA’s initial major accom- returned to Earth for air recovery by KH-4A was a KH-4 with an addition- plishment was imaging all Soviet USAF C-119 aircraft, while floating al film RV. KH-4A also had a larger medium-range, intermediate-range, to Earth on a parachute. Sea recovery payload of film. The KH-4B provided and intercontinental ballistic missile was used as a backup. a new generation camera and oper- launching complexes. CORONA also The initial camera systems were ating system which allowed lower identified the Plesetsk Missile Test manufactured by Fairchild Camera orbits (down to 80 nm), and great- Range, north of Moscow. Severod- Co. KEYHOLE-1 (KH-1) had a res- er resolution, generally 6’. In some vinsk, the main Soviet construction olution of 40’. With KH-2 the image circumstances, this system provided site for ballistic-missile-carrying motion compensation system and the resolution to 4.5’. submarines was first seen by CORO- film (supplied by Kodak) improved The need for intelligence about Sovi- NA. Now it was possible to monitor the resolution to 25’. Itek Corporation et strategic weapon systems and bases the launching of each new class of produced all subsequent cameras. The dramatically increased after 1 May submarines and follow it through KH-3 was an upgrade of the earlier 1960, when the Soviets shot down an deployment to operational bases. models, incorporating a faster lens, American U-2 aircraft and captured Similarly, one could observe Soviet which allowed finer grain film, and its CIA pilot, Francis Gary Powers. construction and deployment of the improved resolution of 12 - 25’. Within a few months, however, on 18 ocean-going surface fleet. Coverage of The first systems were all single August the United States launched its aircraft factories and airbases provid- camera. KH-4 was the first two camera first successful reconnaissance satel- ed an inventory of bomber and fighter system, using two KH-3 cameras to lite, which in one mission provided forces. Great strides were also made in provide a stereo image. Resolution more photographic coverage of the compiling an improved Soviet ground was only slightly improved (10-25’), Soviet Union than all previous U-2 order of battle. It was CORONA imag- but the stereo image gave more use- missions. CORONA proved to be very ery which uncovered Soviet antiballis- able data. The next improvement was successful. The U-2 program mapped tic missile activity. Construction SAM Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 • 9 C-119 attempts to snag Discoverer II capsule as it descends towards the Pacific Ocean.

Humorous hand painted cachet illustrating the ignominious fate of the first attempt to orbit.

sites around Moscow and Leningrad edgeable observers from imagery the 16th that the Norwegian govern- were first observed in CORONA analysts to the President. ment had authorized a search for the imagery. The precise location of these It might seem hard these days to capsule but nothing was found. The defenses provided Strategic Air Com- imagine just how challenging return- flight formed the basis for a spy novel, mand planners with the information ing clear images from space was in Ice Station Zebra, and film by the same needed to determine good entry and the late 1950’s. It wasn’t until 1957 name. egress routes for US strategic bombers. that any nation was able to place an DISCOVERER III was the first (and In its first years CORONA encoun- object in orbit (and it wasn’t us). When only) DISCOVERER flight to carry tered considerable difficulties, which DISCOVERER I was Iaunched on 28 animals: four live black mice. Black did not immediately diminish even February 1959 it failed to orbit. It is be- mice were chosen in order to ascertain after the first successful mission in lieved that it landed somewhere near the possible hair-bleaching effects August 1960. Indeed, of the first 30 the South Pole. of cosmic rays. The lift-off on 3 June missions from 1960 through 1962, When Discoverer II flew the capsule 1959 was uneventful, but, instead of only 12 were considered productive. ejected on the 17th orbit as planned, injecting approximately horizontally When DISCOVERER XIV, the first but a timing malfunction (actually a into orbit, the AGENA apparently satellite with film, returned to earth human programming error) caused fired downward, driving the vehicle on 19 August 1960 the camera had the ejection sequence to be initiated into the Pacific Ocean and killing the photographed 1 million square miles too early. The capsule was down, mice. The mission seems to have been of the Soviet Union and East European probably somewhere in the nearby doomed from the start. Just before the countries. From this imagery 64 Soviet vicinity of the Spitsbergen Islands first try at launch, telemetry indicated airfields and 26 new surface-to-air north of Norway. In fact, there were a lack of mouse activity. Thinking they missile (SAM) sites were identified. later reports that the falling capsule might be asleep, a technician was sent That the first satellite mission could had actually been seen by Spitsbergen up in a cherry-picker to arouse them. produce such results stunned knowl- residents. The Air Force announced on He banged on the side of the vehicle 10 • Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 Sole biological flight of DISCOVERER program.

A scene from Ice Station Zebra with Rock Hudson in the foreground.

and called out, but to no avail. When was the first to carry a camera and Smithsonian received the actual hard- the capsule was opened, the mice were thus the first true CORONA test, but ware from the first recovery. dead. The cages had been sprayed the payload did not go into orbit. Having missed the mid-air recovery with Kryton to cover rough edges; the DISCOVERER V, again with a camera, of DISCOVERER XIII, Capt. Mitchell mice had found it tastier than their attained orbit but the temperature had been assigned the boondocks formula; and that was that. inside the spacecraft was abnormally some 500 miles downrange for DIS- The second try at launch several low and the camera failed on the first COVERER XIV. The capsule overshot days later, with a back-up mouse orbit. It wasn’t until DISCOVERER the prime recovery area, where three “crew,” was a near-abort when the XIII that the satellite achieved orbit aircraft were chasing the wrong radar capsule life cell humidity sensor and was recovered. President Eisen- blip. When Mitchell first tried to suddenly indicated I00 percent rela- hower displayed the capsule and the report his catch, he was told to keep tive humidity. The panic button was flag it had carried to the press, and off the air in order not to interfere with pushed, and troubleshooters were sent it was later placed on exhibit in the the recovery operation. The DISCOV- up to check. They found that when the Smithsonian Institution for public ERER XIV capsule was the only one vehicle was in a vertical position the viewing. In anticipation of the first thus far that had descended in the humidity sensor was directly beneath recovery being a reconnaissance mis- designated impact zone. the cages, and it did not distinguish sion, a plan had been developed under The DISCOVERER XVII mission was between plain water and urine. The which the capsule would he switched launched on I2 November and went wetness dried out after a while, all in transit through Sunnyvale. Since the full route through successful air re- was forgiven, and the vehicle was DISCOVERER XIII was a diagnostic covery except for one mishap: the film launched-unhappily into the perma- flight, the project office was spared the broke after I.7 feet of the acetate film nent 100 percent moisture environ- necessity of executing a clandestine fed through the camera. It was the first ment of the Pacific Ocean. switch of capsules prior to shipment of the two-day missions. The capsule DISCOVERER IV on 25 June 1959 to Washington, and the President and was recovered on the 31st orbit. Spellman Museum Post Rider • Volume 33 • No. 1 • 11 How I became a Stamp Collector by David S. Ball, RPSL y friend on the next street had left his bike with the U stamp was from 1869 (since it was older). shaped raised handlebars and the banana shaped seat Like many before me I started collecting one of every stamp in Mat my house. I wobbled on it planning to bring it back the world. Duplicates were OK so I could trade with others that still when the bike skid in the gravel at the side of had a few holes in their worldwide collections. the road and I went over the handlebars land- There were approval sets in small glassine ing on my face. I was 8 years old. envelopes and the stamps from my parent’s I wound up in our local hospital for two days mail (we came to an understanding that I with stiches over my eye and in my lip. When needed to wait for them to open their mail my parents came to visit they brought Her- before I could have the stamps). In those days shey’s chocolate bars and a H. E. Harris Liberty H. E. Harris in Boston would pay for a stack stamp album. The candy didn’t last long but the of a particular stamp (usually a hundred) so album sparked a lifelong passion for postage I found myself soaking and stacking. For the stamps. stack I think they paid a dollar. In those days “snail mail” was just called “mail” and instead Over time I would abandon the world and concentrate on the of meters and permits most had definitives and commemorative US. For a time I collected plate blocks, zip blocks, and Mail Early stamps. This was before self-adhesives so I filled the sink with warm blocks. You could do this when the post office had 1-2 dozen new water and soaked the issues off the paper backing. Blotted dry with issues a year, there was a single plate number, and stamps cost 5 a paper towel, sandwiched between two pieces of waxed paper and cents. By the time they were up to 15 cents each with several plate a heavy dictionary (pre-spellcheck) I was on my way. numbers it was time to pack it in. Eventually I stopped buying new My first stamp was the Railroad Commemorative Issue of 1944. issues and focus on 19th Century material. How this ended up with the definitives I was soaking in 1967 I The best part about collecting was taking my allowance to the don’t know but I was hooked. The First Class Rate at the time was stamp shop. This was before it became a Stamp & Coin, well before a nickel so I was certain this 3 cent value must be hundreds of years it was a Coin & Stamp, and certainly before it was a nondescript old (and worth untold millions). On closer inspection, using my corner of a hobby shop. If the dealer wasn’t actually a philatelist he new stamp tongs and magnifying glass from the stamp shop, I could at least enjoyed stamps and loved spending an afternoon with an 8 see the dates 1869 and 1944. Somewhat disappointed I decided the year old and his 25 cents.

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