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Remembering Benjamin Bailar

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.

All U-S Postmasters General collect stamps somewhat. They receive copies of all the stamps
issued while they head the Postal Service. But Benjamin Bailar, Postmaster General from
1975 to 1978, was a serious collector before he took the post — but had to give it up
because of a conflict of interest.

"I had been advised -- it turned out wisely so -- to sell my collection, what small
collection I had, when I became Postmaster General."
RUNS :08

I talked to Bailar, who died recently at the age of 82, ten years ago. By that time, he
had started collecting again, specializing in stamps featuring Benjamin Franklin.

"My name is Benjamin Franklin Bailar. He was the first postmaster general, and I was the
64th. And he's on more stamps, more U-S stamps, than anybody except George Washington, so
it's a broad subject. There's lots of things to collect."
RUNS :11

After he was Postmaster General, Bailar headed the company that publishes Scott stamp
catalogues for a time. Decades later, he was on the committee that advises the Postal
Service on what stamps to issue. But he resigned after 7 years, unhappy with the emphasis
on pop culture, and continued to be critical of what he saw as a lack of substance in
U-S stamp subjects.

I’m Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting,
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.

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