Show notes
- 150 Years of the UPU: We explore how the international postal system before 1874 was a "real mess" of hundreds of complex, bilateral agreements and how the UPU's core principle of simplified postage revolutionized global communication.
- Heinrich von Stephan: Learn about the genius who not only invented the postcard but also pursued the vision of a single, global postal treaty.
- James "Jamie" Gough: A portrait of a pioneering philatelist and postal historian whose UPU collection is a world-class rarity. His motto, "Beauty is a must. If it is not pretty, it doesn't matter how rare it is, don't use it," highlights his focus on aesthetics and quality.
- Auction Highlights: We examine five remarkable historical items from the upcoming 386th Heinrich Köhler Auction that document the challenges and triumphs of the UPU's early years.
- Lot 20: The only known first-day cover from the North German Postal Union dated January 1, 1868.
- Lot 57: A correspondence card from Austria from the very first day of the UPU treaty (July 1, 1875), showing the initial confusion with stamp rates.
- Lot 97: An overpaid printed matter from France from its accession to the UPU on January 1, 1876, a rare testament to human error.
- Lot 117: An unstamped letter from the French colony of Guadeloupe with an exceptionally rare postage-due stamp from 1880, showing the global application of UPU rules.
- Lot 203: A Spanish letter from July 1, 1875, bearing the official "T" handstamp of the UPU, making it a world-class rarity.
- Beyond the Stamp: We discuss why these seemingly simple items are valuable time capsules, telling stories of ingenuity, diplomacy, and the human desire for connection across continents.
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