Celebrating 250 years of U.S. mail with America’s oldest philatelic society

Aug 19, 2025, 8 AM

Philatelic Foreword by Jay Bigalke

On July 23, the lobby of the Providence, R.I., post office became a bridge between two enduring legacies — one of America’s earliest post offices and the oldest philatelic society in the United States.

The occasion was the unveiling of the 250 Years of Delivering commemorative stamp, a celebration that mirrored the national first-day ceremony in Washington, D.C., and marked a milestone in the Postal Service’s storied history.

The Rhode Island Philatelic Society, founded on Feb. 2, 1885, brought its own distinguished heritage to the event. Over its 140 years, the society has counted among its presidents prominent Rhode Islanders such as George Champlin, whose collection is now preserved at Brown University’s John Hay Library. Today, the society numbers more than 85 members with collecting interests spanning classic U.S. issues, the British Empire, Italy, Vatican City, and specialized areas such as first-day covers.

Rhode Island Philatelic Society president Charles Vacca, joined by members Norman Decelles and Dennis Stark, participated in the unveiling alongside Providence postmaster Jeanne Jackson. “Frankly, we at RIPS were thrilled to be invited to this event,” Vacca said. “We loved talking philately, and we believe USPS personnel enjoyed seeing another side of what they work with every day.”

The society sponsors an annual spring stamp show open to the public, as well as members-only auctions each June and December. Beyond its own programs, Rhode Island Philatelic Society actively seeks partnerships, from the USPS central office in Providence to the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum in Wellesley, Mass. The group is also looking ahead to the Boston 2026 World Expo, where it hopes to showcase its history with an exhibit and welcome table.

In Providence, the July 23 ceremony was more than a stamp unveiling — it was a celebration of shared purpose between the nation’s mail service and the collectors who chronicle its story. For attendees, it was a reminder that stamps don’t just commemorate history; they connect the people and institutions who help preserve it.

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