I enjoy the USPS's stamp issues. And it looks like a particularly strong batch coming up for 2012. But I'm really having trouble with one of their business decisions. Even though I don't know the why and wherefore of the reasons behind it, except for the big one -- to save money -- the appearance of the B Free Franklin colonial-style post office in Philadelphia on their potential closures list feels like the end of an era.
If the final decision to close the office is made and it is moved from that list to the definitely getting the ax list, those that live local to the post office have a period of time to protest the action, in hopes of reversing the decision. This makes sense and I would never suggest making any waves in a process put in place by wiser folks than I. (It's always a bad idea to show up at parties uninvited.)
But I do think that collectors should be aware of the situation, and if necessary we might use our voice, so the USPS might take notice of our concerns. It doesn't matter if we live next door to the Franklin post office on Market Street in Philadelphia or upstairs from Tyvek the blacksmith in Outer Mongolia. As stamp collectors our interests transcend locality.
I'll soon have an article up on our colonies' first postmaster and how he is ingrained in the fabric of stamp collecting, including the ongoing operation of the B Free Franklin post office. There will also be future posts on the office's continuing story.
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(Stamp image/Wikimedia Commons)
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