History and Technology of the American Paper Industry in the 1800s

Exhibit

It is our pleasure to share with you the 128 page award-winning exhibit of Albert J. Valente. This exhibit took home a Gold Medal at the APS Stampshow, Chicago 2021.

We all have one thing in common, that is, we are collectors of paper artifacts. This exhibit explores the history of papermaking in the 19th century through its postal history.

Most of the early correspondence is that of the firm of Owen & Hurlbut (O&H) of South Lee, Mass. Owen & Hurlbut were among the top 5 papermakers in the country prior to the Civil War, and there’s is the largest and most complete correspondence of its kind, all the rest being just bits and pieces.

A few items of Owen & Hurlbut correspondence were shown in the court of honor at Washington 2006, while items found in this exhibit represent the best of the rest. Still, much of the O&H postal history is extraordinary, with some being quite rare. Mr. Hurlbut was postmaster of South Lee, which makes for interesting and in some cases unique material.

An index on the last page of the exhibit makes it easier to locate various topics, of which there are many.