It was such a different time—back in the 1930's—when the postal system represented the cutting edge of quick and efficient document transmission. There were no fax machines. No Federal Express. And the internet was still decades (and decades) from introduction. "The mails" was the fastest system—and postage stamps were the coin of the realm.
Everyone (at least anyone who sent mail) kept a ready supply of postage stamps at hand—in various denominations, in order to cover the weight of the envelope or parcel one was sending. Stamps might be kept in a special container, like the handsome English Art Deco stamp box shown above.
When this stamp box was first in-use, in the Thirties, a US postage stamp cost 3¢. It remained that price for most of the Thirties and all of the Forties. By the time I was born, in 1963, stamps cost 5¢. Interestingly, in 1863, first class postage (for the first ounce) was 6¢—more than the one-ounce rate one hundred years later (1963).
Today, few people keep a wide variety of multi-denominated stamps. At most, one might have a roll or a booklet of "Forever" stamps—which, once purchased, are good indefinitely for first class postage. A stamp box, like the one above, might be useful to safekeep a small collection of sorts: cufflinks, thimbles. fancy dice. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome box and see more photos, including its interior.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248