For over a century and throughout the world, dogs have been honored on postage stamps. Since a new stamp of Owney, mascot of the long-extinct Railway Mail Service, is currently making headlines, it’s a fitting time to have a look at this and some earlier U.S. canine stamps.
2011: Owney the Postal Dog Stamp
Good-luck icon to the mail-sorting clerks of the Railway Mail Service in the late 19th century, a little terrier mutt named Owney became a legend in his own time.
Before humans took to the air, the mail was transported by train to far-flung corners of the country and by steam ship throughout the globe. In the early years of rail travel, the Railway Mail Service was hazardous duty, as train wrecks were not uncommon and mail trains were targets of armed robbery. Owney, so named by workers at the Albany, New York Post Office where he was found sleeping on a mail sack, was thought to protect any train on which he rode.
Owney’s life was transformed by his association with the Railway Mail Service. He criss-crossed the country many times on mail trains, and the Tacoma, Washington postmaster sent him around the world with a clerk in 1895 as a promotion for that city. Owney received so many mail tags and medals commemorating his travels that a special harness was created to display them all.
Owney was frequently written up in newspapers during his heyday, and several children’s books have been written about him. An educational unit based on his travels is widely used to help teach elementary school children about geography.
Now for a strange and sad twist: Owney was “put down” in old age due to aggressive behavior and his body was preserved via taxidermy. In 1911 he was put on display at the Smithsonian Museum, his final destination, and his preserved remains were spruced up by a museum taxidermist in conjunction with the stamp release.
The new Owney issue is a “forever” stamp, always equal in value to the current First Class one-ounce mail rate, and went on sale on July 27. It features an illustration by Bill Bond of Arlington, Virginia depicting Owney and some of his tags and medals.
For lots more details about Owney and the new stamp release, visit postalmuseumblog.si.edu/owney. The stamp is available at many post office branches or can be ordered at shop.usps.com.
1966: Humane Treatment of Animals Stamp
A 5-cent commemorative stamp was offered for sale on April 9, 1966, the 100th anniversary of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Intended to evoke compassion for all the mistreated and neglected animals in the U.S., the stamp depicts a black-and-white pooch, Babe, canine companion of the stamp’s designer, Norman Todhunter.
1979 “Seeing For Me” Seeing Eye Dog Stamp
This 15-cent commemorative stamp honored the 50th anniversary of the founding of the America’s first guide dog program, in Nashville, Tennessee – soon moved to a cooler clime in New Jersey. It was designed by Joseph Csatari.
1984: American Kennel Club Stamps
A block of four semi-jumbo dog stamps was issued in 1984 in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the American Kennel Club. Eight breeds and five AKC groups were represented. The stamps were designed by Roy Andersen of Sedona, Arizona.
1986: Puppy Love Stamp
The Love stamp issued in 1986 depicted an adorable cartoon puppy by Saul Mandel of Jericho, New York. Muppets mastermind Jim Henson and Rowlf the dog, one of his creations, performed at the Post Office ceremony that launched the stamp.
2002: Neuter or Spay Stamps
Spaying and neutering domestic cats and dogs is an important strategy for curbing pet overpopulation. To bring attention to this crucial cause, the Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp set in 2002, in conjunction with the 125th anniversary of the American Humane Association.
2010: Adopt a Shelter Pet Stamps
In March of last year, the Adopt a Shelter Pet stamp issue was unveiled on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. The popular comedian is passionate about animal rescue and worked closely with the Postal Service in the creation of the new stamp set, intended to focus attention on the millions of cats and dogs euthanized in animal shelters each year because they are not adopted. More info about the still-available stamps at www.stampstotherescue.com.
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