History of Ornithology
@stampden.bsky.social
Exploring the life and times of ornithologists and ornithological institutions in the 19th and early 20th centuries, through the lens of postal artifacts in my collection.
(3/3) On the front of the cover, Webster advertises “Photographs of Natural History Specimens $1.25 per dozen,” while the entire reverse is filled with a product list, including artificial eyes, the line that had launched his natural history empire in 1875 as A.L. Ellis & Co. of Pawtucket.
January 27, 2026 at 12:50 PM
(3/3) On the front of the cover, Webster advertises “Photographs of Natural History Specimens $1.25 per dozen,” while the entire reverse is filled with a product list, including artificial eyes, the line that had launched his natural history empire in 1875 as A.L. Ellis & Co. of Pawtucket.
(2/3) For the new premises, Webster chose a site opposite Hazelwood Station on the busy Old Colonial Railway line, giving customers easy rail access and ensuring high visibility to commuters; the engraving on his postal stationery shows the white-washed building from a rail passenger’s perspective.
January 27, 2026 at 12:50 PM
(2/3) For the new premises, Webster chose a site opposite Hazelwood Station on the busy Old Colonial Railway line, giving customers easy rail access and ensuring high visibility to commuters; the engraving on his postal stationery shows the white-washed building from a rail passenger’s perspective.
(1/2) In 1890, ornithological publisher, taxidermist, and natural history dealer Frank Blake Webster built a new Museum and Naturalists’ Supply Depot at Hyde Park, Massachusetts, 7 miles from Boston, after the firm’s existing Boston premises proved too small to accommodate its growth.
#ornithology
#ornithology
January 27, 2026 at 12:50 PM
(1/2) In 1890, ornithological publisher, taxidermist, and natural history dealer Frank Blake Webster built a new Museum and Naturalists’ Supply Depot at Hyde Park, Massachusetts, 7 miles from Boston, after the firm’s existing Boston premises proved too small to accommodate its growth.
#ornithology
#ornithology
(3/3) The sender, John Alden Loring, is widely recognised for his work as a collector for the U.S. Biological Survey and the Smithsonian. He participated in major North American expeditions, including the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition of 1909 with Colonel Edgar Mearns and Edmund Heller.
January 22, 2026 at 10:35 AM
(3/3) The sender, John Alden Loring, is widely recognised for his work as a collector for the U.S. Biological Survey and the Smithsonian. He participated in major North American expeditions, including the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition of 1909 with Colonel Edgar Mearns and Edmund Heller.
(2/3) Stephens was editor of The Wilson Bulletin from 1925 to 1938. He was also active in numerous scientific societies including the AOU and Cooper Ornithological Club. He published about 75 ornithological papers and in 1945, privately issued An Annotated Bibliography of South Dakota Ornithology.
January 22, 2026 at 10:35 AM
(2/3) Stephens was editor of The Wilson Bulletin from 1925 to 1938. He was also active in numerous scientific societies including the AOU and Cooper Ornithological Club. He published about 75 ornithological papers and in 1945, privately issued An Annotated Bibliography of South Dakota Ornithology.
(1/3) This March 1928 cover from mammalogist and field naturalist John Alden Loring (1871–1947) of Owego, New York, was sent to Thomas Calderwood Stephens (1876–1948), chair of biology at Morningside College, Sioux City (1906–46), and editor of The Wilson Bulletin.
#ornithology #philately
#ornithology #philately
January 22, 2026 at 10:35 AM
(1/3) This March 1928 cover from mammalogist and field naturalist John Alden Loring (1871–1947) of Owego, New York, was sent to Thomas Calderwood Stephens (1876–1948), chair of biology at Morningside College, Sioux City (1906–46), and editor of The Wilson Bulletin.
#ornithology #philately
#ornithology #philately
(Postscript) Thompson had obviously not seen Wilby's advertisement in the April 1904 edition of The Oölogist, where he had advised readers of his change of address effective 18 May.
January 16, 2026 at 1:22 PM
(Postscript) Thompson had obviously not seen Wilby's advertisement in the April 1904 edition of The Oölogist, where he had advised readers of his change of address effective 18 May.
(3/3) Tompson was Canadian, as was the addressee, Donald Wilby (1877-1962), an oologist who started collecting eggs as a child in Toronto before relocating to the Edmonton area in 1904. He collected and traded eggs into his 80s. His substantial collection is now in the Royal Alberta Museum (pic.).
January 16, 2026 at 10:10 AM
(3/3) Tompson was Canadian, as was the addressee, Donald Wilby (1877-1962), an oologist who started collecting eggs as a child in Toronto before relocating to the Edmonton area in 1904. He collected and traded eggs into his 80s. His substantial collection is now in the Royal Alberta Museum (pic.).
(2/3) Thompson was appointed COC secretary in Nov 1903, graduated from Stanford (Zoology) in 1905, and became a teacher in Los Angeles. In 1914, he joined the newly opened Southwest Museum as assistant curator of ornithology; rising to curator of economic and field ornithology by 1916.
January 16, 2026 at 10:10 AM
(2/3) Thompson was appointed COC secretary in Nov 1903, graduated from Stanford (Zoology) in 1905, and became a teacher in Los Angeles. In 1914, he joined the newly opened Southwest Museum as assistant curator of ornithology; rising to curator of economic and field ornithology by 1916.
(1/3) This Cooper Ornithological Club (COC) cover, postmarked Stanford University, 28 Sep 1904, was sent to Donald Wilby in Toronto, where it was redirected to a post office box in Edmonton, Alberta. The sender was COC Secretary Charles Sidney Thompson (1881–1960).
#ornithology
#ornithology
January 16, 2026 at 10:10 AM
(1/3) This Cooper Ornithological Club (COC) cover, postmarked Stanford University, 28 Sep 1904, was sent to Donald Wilby in Toronto, where it was redirected to a post office box in Edmonton, Alberta. The sender was COC Secretary Charles Sidney Thompson (1881–1960).
#ornithology
#ornithology
(3/3) McConnell also participated in Bird-Lore's annual Christmas Bird Census. Eleven days before posting his vote, he took part in the 11th annual census (his tenth consecutive year of participation). Pictured is his report, printed in the Jan-Feb 1911 edition of Bird-Lore.
December 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
(3/3) McConnell also participated in Bird-Lore's annual Christmas Bird Census. Eleven days before posting his vote, he took part in the 11th annual census (his tenth consecutive year of participation). Pictured is his report, printed in the Jan-Feb 1911 edition of Bird-Lore.
(2/3) McConnell’s vote shows support for Lynds Jones, to whose catalogue, The Birds of Ohio, he contributed; like Jones, he was also a keen lister, taking part in the WOC’s annual New Year Bird Census. Jones is recognized as the first solo bird-watcher to, in 1900, identify 100 species in a day.
December 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
(2/3) McConnell’s vote shows support for Lynds Jones, to whose catalogue, The Birds of Ohio, he contributed; like Jones, he was also a keen lister, taking part in the WOC’s annual New Year Bird Census. Jones is recognized as the first solo bird-watcher to, in 1900, identify 100 species in a day.
(1/3) On 30 Dec 1910, Harry Burns McConnell (1867-1956) of Cadiz, Ohio, posted this reply card to vote for the 1911 officers of the Wilson Ornithological Club. A newspaperman, he worked for the "Cadiz Republican" from 1885 before becoming the owner in 1912.
#ornithology
#ornithology
December 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
(1/3) On 30 Dec 1910, Harry Burns McConnell (1867-1956) of Cadiz, Ohio, posted this reply card to vote for the 1911 officers of the Wilson Ornithological Club. A newspaperman, he worked for the "Cadiz Republican" from 1885 before becoming the owner in 1912.
#ornithology
#ornithology
(3/3) He published extensively on birds, contributed monthly natural history essays to Lutheran periodicals, and authored books on mammals (1928, pictured below) and on fishes, amphibia, and reptilia (1930), with a further volume on birds reportedly in preparation at his death in 1949.
December 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
(3/3) He published extensively on birds, contributed monthly natural history essays to Lutheran periodicals, and authored books on mammals (1928, pictured below) and on fishes, amphibia, and reptilia (1930), with a further volume on birds reportedly in preparation at his death in 1949.
(2/3) Eifrig had moved to Addison, Illinois, in 1909 and was an active WOC member since 1907, later serving as Secretary in 1912-13. Elected an Associate of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1901 and a full member in 1929. He was also affiliated with the Chicago Ornithological Society.
December 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
(2/3) Eifrig had moved to Addison, Illinois, in 1909 and was an active WOC member since 1907, later serving as Secretary in 1912-13. Elected an Associate of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1901 and a full member in 1929. He was also affiliated with the Chicago Ornithological Society.
(1/3) On 27 Dec 1910, Prof. Charles William Gustave Eifrig (1871-1949) received this reply card from Dr. Henry Harlow Skinner of Yakima, Washington, casting his vote in the election of the Wilson Ornithological Club’s 1911 officers. Eifrig was the appointed judge of the election.
#ornithology
#ornithology
December 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
(1/3) On 27 Dec 1910, Prof. Charles William Gustave Eifrig (1871-1949) received this reply card from Dr. Henry Harlow Skinner of Yakima, Washington, casting his vote in the election of the Wilson Ornithological Club’s 1911 officers. Eifrig was the appointed judge of the election.
#ornithology
#ornithology
(3/3) Chapin lead the Templeton Crocker Pacific Expedition in 1934-35, collecting vegetation, soil, rocks, & landscape sketches of the Society, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Galápagos, Chincha, Easter, and Pitcairn Islands, to ensure the authenticity of the AMNH faunal dioramas of these islands.
December 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
(3/3) Chapin lead the Templeton Crocker Pacific Expedition in 1934-35, collecting vegetation, soil, rocks, & landscape sketches of the Society, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Galápagos, Chincha, Easter, and Pitcairn Islands, to ensure the authenticity of the AMNH faunal dioramas of these islands.
(2/3) The cover is addressed to Dr. Robert Cushman Murphy at the American Museum of Natural History, coordinator of the museum’s major Pacific expeditions. Chapin and Murphy are pictured sitting side by side in this 1925 photograph.
December 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
(2/3) The cover is addressed to Dr. Robert Cushman Murphy at the American Museum of Natural History, coordinator of the museum’s major Pacific expeditions. Chapin and Murphy are pictured sitting side by side in this 1925 photograph.
Merry Christmas 🎁
(1/3) Today, a 19 Nov 1934 cover sent from Tahiti by ornithologist James Paul Chapin during the Templeton Crocker Pacific Expedition. It bears two 75c Établissements de l’Océanie stamps, paying the 1f50 foreign letter rate, and Chapin’s trademark hand-drawn birds.
#ornithology
(1/3) Today, a 19 Nov 1934 cover sent from Tahiti by ornithologist James Paul Chapin during the Templeton Crocker Pacific Expedition. It bears two 75c Établissements de l’Océanie stamps, paying the 1f50 foreign letter rate, and Chapin’s trademark hand-drawn birds.
#ornithology
December 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Merry Christmas 🎁
(1/3) Today, a 19 Nov 1934 cover sent from Tahiti by ornithologist James Paul Chapin during the Templeton Crocker Pacific Expedition. It bears two 75c Établissements de l’Océanie stamps, paying the 1f50 foreign letter rate, and Chapin’s trademark hand-drawn birds.
#ornithology
(1/3) Today, a 19 Nov 1934 cover sent from Tahiti by ornithologist James Paul Chapin during the Templeton Crocker Pacific Expedition. It bears two 75c Établissements de l’Océanie stamps, paying the 1f50 foreign letter rate, and Chapin’s trademark hand-drawn birds.
#ornithology
(3/3) Kennicott (pictured), nominated by his father, and supported by the Smithsonian, would teach employees of the Illinois Central Railway to collect natural history samples along the line as part of a preliminary survey of the state's natural resources. He commenced 30 May.
December 24, 2025 at 12:50 AM
(3/3) Kennicott (pictured), nominated by his father, and supported by the Smithsonian, would teach employees of the Illinois Central Railway to collect natural history samples along the line as part of a preliminary survey of the state's natural resources. He commenced 30 May.
(2/3) While the cover has long been separated from its original contents, we are fortunate that Kennicott's correspondence has been digitized, enabling us to match a letter to this cover. The letter (pictured) is dated 30 April and touches on a fascinating aspect of his life.
December 24, 2025 at 12:50 AM
(2/3) While the cover has long been separated from its original contents, we are fortunate that Kennicott's correspondence has been digitized, enabling us to match a letter to this cover. The letter (pictured) is dated 30 April and touches on a fascinating aspect of his life.
Christmas Greetings!
(1/3) This cover, bearing Smithsonian Institution and Washington, D.C., datestamps dated 1 May 1855, originally enclosed a letter from Spencer Fullerton Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to his young protégé, Robert Kennicott (1835–66).
#ornithology
(1/3) This cover, bearing Smithsonian Institution and Washington, D.C., datestamps dated 1 May 1855, originally enclosed a letter from Spencer Fullerton Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to his young protégé, Robert Kennicott (1835–66).
#ornithology
December 24, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Christmas Greetings!
(1/3) This cover, bearing Smithsonian Institution and Washington, D.C., datestamps dated 1 May 1855, originally enclosed a letter from Spencer Fullerton Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to his young protégé, Robert Kennicott (1835–66).
#ornithology
(1/3) This cover, bearing Smithsonian Institution and Washington, D.C., datestamps dated 1 May 1855, originally enclosed a letter from Spencer Fullerton Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to his young protégé, Robert Kennicott (1835–66).
#ornithology
(3/3) Reed’s Nature Study series were directed towards children and this cover may have been related to the supply of books to schools in Saco. The recipient, Harvard graduate (Class of 1878) Theodore Young, was Superintendent of Schools from 1909 until his retirement in 1925.
October 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
(3/3) Reed’s Nature Study series were directed towards children and this cover may have been related to the supply of books to schools in Saco. The recipient, Harvard graduate (Class of 1878) Theodore Young, was Superintendent of Schools from 1909 until his retirement in 1925.
(2/3) As can be seen in this image, the books illustrated are an accurate depiction of the contemporary cover designs. Charles and his son Chester have been credited as the first to develop the concept of the portable 'Field Guide' with the publication of Land Birds in 1905.
October 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
(2/3) As can be seen in this image, the books illustrated are an accurate depiction of the contemporary cover designs. Charles and his son Chester have been credited as the first to develop the concept of the portable 'Field Guide' with the publication of Land Birds in 1905.
(1/3) In January 1913, Theodore Tripp Young (1854–1930), Superintendent of Schools of Saco, Maine, received this cover from publisher Charles Keller Reed, Worcester, Massachusetts, illustrated with Reed's ornithological (and botanical) publications.
#ornithology #philately
#ornithology #philately
October 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
(1/3) In January 1913, Theodore Tripp Young (1854–1930), Superintendent of Schools of Saco, Maine, received this cover from publisher Charles Keller Reed, Worcester, Massachusetts, illustrated with Reed's ornithological (and botanical) publications.
#ornithology #philately
#ornithology #philately