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Worldwide/(All) : Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

 

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

23 Dec 2018
10:47:23pm
If anyone has plans to visit the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., if possible get a photo of each of the 50 frames of the "A Stamp for Every Country" exhibit in the Stamps Around the Globe room. I have emailed the Smithsonian to ask if they have those images available, but I have not heard back from them yet. There are some obvious errors in the printable pages inspired by those frames, and it would help a lot to see the original frames to determine how to make corrections to the downloadable pages.

See the "Stamp For Every Country" threads if you want more background info, but if anyone plans to go to DC and visit the museum, your help would be greatly appreciated!

Lars
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egertoni
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24 Dec 2018
05:20:15am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Lars
When you emailed the museum did you describe some the issues we've had with the downloadable pages or provide a link to the SOR threads? I've long thought this should be of interest (concern?) to museum staff. Well, I hope they'd care.
Jim

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egertoni
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24 Dec 2018
05:45:29am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Almost goes without saying, this should be of real concern IF the displays at the museum are that error-filled.

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

25 Dec 2018
12:09:15am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

"When you emailed the museum did you describe some the issues we've had with the downloadable pages or provide a link to the SOR threads?"



Jim,

I did not provide them with an exhaustive list of the issues we have found, but I did provide 4 or 5 of the more glaring problems that are clearly mistakes and not just a matter of opinion. I told them that I would be surprised if that level of error exists on the panels so if they could provide images we could correct our pages ourselves. (I didn't want them to hesitate to answer for fear that we would demand a new PDF file). I even offered to provide them with details about all of the discrepancies we identified if they ever wanted to update the PDF file later. I did not provide a link to the SOR threads, but I did mention that SOR is the venue where we are discussing this.

Lars

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egertoni
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25 Dec 2018
05:58:58am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Perfect. Very diplomatic.

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egertoni
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25 Dec 2018
06:20:47am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

BTW, the Smithsonian is affected by the partial shutdown of the US government. Though its museums are open at least through January 1, lots of behind the scenes staff work has stopped. So I wouldn't expect a response any time soon.

Jim

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

25 Dec 2018
07:59:41pm
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

"BTW, the Smithsonian is affected by the partial shutdown of the US government. Though its museums are open at least through January 1, lots of behind the scenes staff work has stopped. So I wouldn't expect a response any time soon."



Yup, and that's why I posted this request to anyone who was planning a visit in the near future.

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

04 Jan 2019
12:01:58am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Believe it or not, I received a reply today from the Collections Manager at the National Postal Museum in the Smithsonian.

She answered a few questions and promised to forward a few others to the curator when he returns after the shutdown, so that was a pleasant and unexpected surprise!

Here is a summary of her comments:

NORTH AMERICA

1. The notation for Antigua was previously corrected in the gallery exhibit.
2. Guatemala is still listed under Caribbean in the exhibit, but she is forwarding that to the exhibition staff for review.

EUROPE

1. The former USSR and satellites appearing under Romania instead of Russia was corrected in the gallery exhibit, but the images she sent me indicate that they put TRANSCAUCASIAN FEDERATED REPUBLICS as a precedent country to Russia, but I placed it in WESTERN ASIA with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. I haven't mentioned that yet. I was just glad everything else matched up!

AFRICA

1. Equatorial Guinea errors still exist in exhibit panels. She will forward comments to curator and exhibition staff for review.

ASIA

1. Mongolia and Sri Lanka - errors still exist in exhibit panels. She will forward comments to curator and exhibition staff for review.

==============================================================

I have more issues than that to raise, but I wanted to start with issues that are hard to debate first, then move into more controversial topics and invite them to decide for themselves if something needs to change. I'm just thrilled that they responded.

I am, however, rather saddened by the following:

We had noted that in Other selected entities – “ITALY – Italian offices in Jerusalem” is listed on page 120 and repeated on page 121

We had speculated that maybe on page 121 it should be an overall stamp for the Aegean Islands, or maybe the Island of Calchi (spelled Karki in Italian, and thus between "Dalmatia" and "Lero"). Maybe it should have something else we missed?!?!?

Nope. In a realization as dramatic as learning there is no Santa Claus, I learned that “ITALY – Italian offices in Jerusalem” on page 121 wasn't a typo but a remnant. The Collections Manager sent me an image of the page in the exhibit showing that item gone from that page - not replaced by something else. So I suppose the takeaway is you can delete it or replace it with ANYTHING and still remain true to the Smithsonian exhibit.

I will post more info after the shutdown if I am able to find out more.

Happy New Year!

Lars


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Greaden

09 Jun 2019
07:04:35pm
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I just visited the gallery. The one-of-each collection is on heavy boards that take some effort to pull out of the wall. I was glad that they have not adopted a broader definition of countries. Their format focuses attention on the stamps they have, rather than on the numerous inconsistencies noted in this thread.

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

09 Jun 2019
07:18:08pm
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I'm glad someone here got to see it! If I am ever in DC I plan to visit myself.
Did you happen to look at the panel with Switzerland?

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Greaden

09 Jun 2019
07:41:04pm
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I did look at the Switzerland panel. I had to go back a second time to find it. There was a note that the cantonal issues were excluded because they were on display in a separate exhibit on world rarities on the other side of the room.

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jbaxter5256
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09 Jun 2019
11:37:40pm
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Interesting that they were pulled out of the exhibit to use in an alternate exhibit. I am hopeful of getting a chance to visit the exhibit in the next year or two along with the APS headquarters to look at the stamp albums in the American Philatelic Research Library as part of a major road trip. Current target is September of 2021 after my son finishes college and finances allow following the end of tuition payments. Thumbs Up Of course, just mentioning it may jinx the idea. Day Dreaming

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

10 Jun 2019
12:25:26am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

"I did look at the Switzerland panel. I had to go back a second time to find it. There was a note that the cantonal issues were excluded because they were on display in a separate exhibit on world rarities on the other side of the room."



Indeed! I thought that was quite interesting as well.

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"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

13 Nov 2019
12:40:22am
re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I was finally able to get a complete PDF file of the Smithsonian panels. I will be posting updates to the various categories soon, but if anyone wants a copy of the PDF from Smithsonian, please let me know.

I do want to reply to something Greaden wrote:

"I was glad that they have not adopted a broader definition of countries. Their format focuses attention on the stamps they have, rather than on the numerous inconsistencies noted in this thread."



This thread is an effort to fine-tune the inspiring challenge set forth by Smithsonian. I've been working on this project for over 5 years and I always start with the assumption that Smithsonian is right. Further research may raise questions and even challenge assumptions, but that's how this sort of thing works. Would you not agree?

Lars

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"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

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Author/Postings
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
23 Dec 2018
10:47:23pm

If anyone has plans to visit the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., if possible get a photo of each of the 50 frames of the "A Stamp for Every Country" exhibit in the Stamps Around the Globe room. I have emailed the Smithsonian to ask if they have those images available, but I have not heard back from them yet. There are some obvious errors in the printable pages inspired by those frames, and it would help a lot to see the original frames to determine how to make corrections to the downloadable pages.

See the "Stamp For Every Country" threads if you want more background info, but if anyone plans to go to DC and visit the museum, your help would be greatly appreciated!

Lars

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Members Picture
egertoni

24 Dec 2018
05:20:15am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Lars
When you emailed the museum did you describe some the issues we've had with the downloadable pages or provide a link to the SOR threads? I've long thought this should be of interest (concern?) to museum staff. Well, I hope they'd care.
Jim

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this post
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egertoni

24 Dec 2018
05:45:29am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Almost goes without saying, this should be of real concern IF the displays at the museum are that error-filled.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
25 Dec 2018
12:09:15am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

"When you emailed the museum did you describe some the issues we've had with the downloadable pages or provide a link to the SOR threads?"



Jim,

I did not provide them with an exhaustive list of the issues we have found, but I did provide 4 or 5 of the more glaring problems that are clearly mistakes and not just a matter of opinion. I told them that I would be surprised if that level of error exists on the panels so if they could provide images we could correct our pages ourselves. (I didn't want them to hesitate to answer for fear that we would demand a new PDF file). I even offered to provide them with details about all of the discrepancies we identified if they ever wanted to update the PDF file later. I did not provide a link to the SOR threads, but I did mention that SOR is the venue where we are discussing this.

Lars

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Members Picture
egertoni

25 Dec 2018
05:58:58am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Perfect. Very diplomatic.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
egertoni

25 Dec 2018
06:20:47am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

BTW, the Smithsonian is affected by the partial shutdown of the US government. Though its museums are open at least through January 1, lots of behind the scenes staff work has stopped. So I wouldn't expect a response any time soon.

Jim

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this post
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larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
25 Dec 2018
07:59:41pm

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

"BTW, the Smithsonian is affected by the partial shutdown of the US government. Though its museums are open at least through January 1, lots of behind the scenes staff work has stopped. So I wouldn't expect a response any time soon."



Yup, and that's why I posted this request to anyone who was planning a visit in the near future.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
04 Jan 2019
12:01:58am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Believe it or not, I received a reply today from the Collections Manager at the National Postal Museum in the Smithsonian.

She answered a few questions and promised to forward a few others to the curator when he returns after the shutdown, so that was a pleasant and unexpected surprise!

Here is a summary of her comments:

NORTH AMERICA

1. The notation for Antigua was previously corrected in the gallery exhibit.
2. Guatemala is still listed under Caribbean in the exhibit, but she is forwarding that to the exhibition staff for review.

EUROPE

1. The former USSR and satellites appearing under Romania instead of Russia was corrected in the gallery exhibit, but the images she sent me indicate that they put TRANSCAUCASIAN FEDERATED REPUBLICS as a precedent country to Russia, but I placed it in WESTERN ASIA with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. I haven't mentioned that yet. I was just glad everything else matched up!

AFRICA

1. Equatorial Guinea errors still exist in exhibit panels. She will forward comments to curator and exhibition staff for review.

ASIA

1. Mongolia and Sri Lanka - errors still exist in exhibit panels. She will forward comments to curator and exhibition staff for review.

==============================================================

I have more issues than that to raise, but I wanted to start with issues that are hard to debate first, then move into more controversial topics and invite them to decide for themselves if something needs to change. I'm just thrilled that they responded.

I am, however, rather saddened by the following:

We had noted that in Other selected entities – “ITALY – Italian offices in Jerusalem” is listed on page 120 and repeated on page 121

We had speculated that maybe on page 121 it should be an overall stamp for the Aegean Islands, or maybe the Island of Calchi (spelled Karki in Italian, and thus between "Dalmatia" and "Lero"). Maybe it should have something else we missed?!?!?

Nope. In a realization as dramatic as learning there is no Santa Claus, I learned that “ITALY – Italian offices in Jerusalem” on page 121 wasn't a typo but a remnant. The Collections Manager sent me an image of the page in the exhibit showing that item gone from that page - not replaced by something else. So I suppose the takeaway is you can delete it or replace it with ANYTHING and still remain true to the Smithsonian exhibit.

I will post more info after the shutdown if I am able to find out more.

Happy New Year!

Lars


Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Greaden

09 Jun 2019
07:04:35pm

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I just visited the gallery. The one-of-each collection is on heavy boards that take some effort to pull out of the wall. I was glad that they have not adopted a broader definition of countries. Their format focuses attention on the stamps they have, rather than on the numerous inconsistencies noted in this thread.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
09 Jun 2019
07:18:08pm

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I'm glad someone here got to see it! If I am ever in DC I plan to visit myself.
Did you happen to look at the panel with Switzerland?

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Greaden

09 Jun 2019
07:41:04pm

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I did look at the Switzerland panel. I had to go back a second time to find it. There was a note that the cantonal issues were excluded because they were on display in a separate exhibit on world rarities on the other side of the room.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
jbaxter5256

09 Jun 2019
11:37:40pm

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

Interesting that they were pulled out of the exhibit to use in an alternate exhibit. I am hopeful of getting a chance to visit the exhibit in the next year or two along with the APS headquarters to look at the stamp albums in the American Philatelic Research Library as part of a major road trip. Current target is September of 2021 after my son finishes college and finances allow following the end of tuition payments. Thumbs Up Of course, just mentioning it may jinx the idea. Day Dreaming

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
10 Jun 2019
12:25:26am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

"I did look at the Switzerland panel. I had to go back a second time to find it. There was a note that the cantonal issues were excluded because they were on display in a separate exhibit on world rarities on the other side of the room."



Indeed! I thought that was quite interesting as well.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
13 Nov 2019
12:40:22am

re: Smithsonian Stamp Gallery

I was finally able to get a complete PDF file of the Smithsonian panels. I will be posting updates to the various categories soon, but if anyone wants a copy of the PDF from Smithsonian, please let me know.

I do want to reply to something Greaden wrote:

"I was glad that they have not adopted a broader definition of countries. Their format focuses attention on the stamps they have, rather than on the numerous inconsistencies noted in this thread."



This thread is an effort to fine-tune the inspiring challenge set forth by Smithsonian. I've been working on this project for over 5 years and I always start with the assumption that Smithsonian is right. Further research may raise questions and even challenge assumptions, but that's how this sort of thing works. Would you not agree?

Lars

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

stamps.colp.info
        

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