Stamp of Approval : K Street Magazine

DC is a city full of museums, ‘something for everyone’ we always say. But if you’ve never visited the National Postal Museum, your sightseeing just got a lot more interesting.

Gifted with the largest single donation in the museum’s history Tuesday, it is about to add to its facilities near Union Station, finally planning to showcase more of the 6 million piece collection that has been hidden in the basement out of public view. The gift was made by Pimco Founder William H. Gross, who was a stamp collector since youth (his Mom started it all by saving 3 cent stamps to save for his college fund – those 3 cent stamps never gained in value, however… the irony!)

Three other historical itmes were also donated by Gross – not to miss!

– A block of four “inverted Jennys” (plane printed upside down)

-An envelope with the earliest known example of a U.S. postage stamp – a 10 cent George Washington!

– A commemmorative envelope from the Pony Express… unfortunately the Express rider was caught and scalped by an Indian, but the satchel containing the envelope was found on the dead pony 2 years later.

Go Postal! Find more about the National Postal Museum here.