My parents found me these vintage stamps as a gift one year-not quite trains, but things on rails, and I've used them very sparingly for fear of running out. (you can see my train track envelope here)
Then the "Building a Nation" stamps came out, and I was excited to see this one of a line worker, which I bought, but haven't brought myself to use yet, due to my limited train stamp supply, but then I hit the jackpot!
I got these two different Steam Locomotives booklets, aren't they so pretty?!?!
Then I got even more in a lot of random stamps.
These are from a series of stamps celebrating different decades of the 20th century. There was a train stamp in both the 20's and 30's.
EDIT TO ADD: The second one is clearly a toy train, but the first "Streamline Design" is harder to make out the train in the stylized painting, on the back it says "Stressing efficiency and speed, streamlined designs were used for cars, planes, trains, buildings, and even appliances. The New 20th Century Limited, shown on this poster at the Albany Institute, was an example of the aerodynamic style." So, I looked up "New 20th Century Limited" and found this clear, public domain image on Wikipedia's page on it, you can see the train much better! I also learned it was an express passenger train that ran from New York to Chicago.
EDIT TO ADD: The second one is clearly a toy train, but the first "Streamline Design" is harder to make out the train in the stylized painting, on the back it says "Stressing efficiency and speed, streamlined designs were used for cars, planes, trains, buildings, and even appliances. The New 20th Century Limited, shown on this poster at the Albany Institute, was an example of the aerodynamic style." So, I looked up "New 20th Century Limited" and found this clear, public domain image on Wikipedia's page on it, you can see the train much better! I also learned it was an express passenger train that ran from New York to Chicago.
Then I realized these Christmas stamps also has a toy train!
Can't wait to use some more of these stamps...now that I have enough not to hoard them!
Fantastic selection. I have that building America stamp, and didn't even think to include it. Also great that you have a personal connection to the rail industry.
ReplyDeleteYes, my selection of stamps has got significantly better in the past month since I found out they could be bought price-effectively at Ebay! Yes, trains will always be special in our family, so I know these will be appreciated when used!
DeleteI had trouble with that Streamline Design - I looked at it but didn't think it was a train.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection
I went back and looked at it-thinking maybe I just had trains on the mind, but the back of the stamp had more info, and I found another image of what was painted on the stamp, I've edited the post with the info and image.
DeleteI also had trouble with the Streamline Design - a design I adore. Maybe it's the awkward angle. But, what a lovely collection you have. I would have liked to work on a train, but I do wish I'd been around for the golden age of train travel - in 1st Class, of course!
ReplyDeleteI think it may be that, plus the stylized design of the painting, but I looked up the info on the back of the stamp, and found more info and another image, you can check it out above, I edited the post. I think it would have been fun to travel in 1st Class on a train, too. My aunt and uncle did take me on a train ride that lasted a few hours through pretty country last July 4th-so fun!
DeleteA beautiful collection, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteAlso I had trouble with understanding the Streamline Design train on the stamp, until I saw the clear black-and-white picture below. Great addition, thank you for sharing!
Heleen (also a train lover)
Thank you Heleen! Glad the image helped!
DeleteWow that streamline express train is something else, very steampunk.
ReplyDeleteI know-right? Hard to believe they actually ran it-not how you picture nearly 100 year old trains for sure!
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