A stamp for Owney, Albany's famous postal dog
The New York Times described Owney as "[not] a handsome dog, but he has excellent qualities, and is kindly and intelligent." We should all be so lucky to be described that way.
One of our all-time favorite Albany stories is that of Owney the Postal Dog.
The short story: in the 1890s, Albany was known all around the world because of Owney and his travels on the rail cars that carried mail. He even ended up going around the world, a feat that landed him on the front page of the New York Times. He's now on display at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum (yep, the actual Owney -- they had him stuffed).
It's a fun story. So we're happy to see that the US Postal Service will be issuing an Owney stamp (above). The first class "forever" stamps will be available July 27. In addition to a ceremony and events at the National Postal Museum, there will also be an unveiling at the Albany Visitors Center. [TU]
Earlier on AOA:
+ Owney, postal dog and Albany ambassador
+ Standing before the post office boxes in Schenectady
image: Bill Bond/USPS
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Comments
What a fantastic tale! It would make a terrific kids movie.
... said daleyplanit on Jul 20, 2011 at 2:35 PM | link
@daleyplanit: I had the same thought. If they can make a movie about the story of a dog who just sits at a train station, there has to be a movie about a dog that actually travels all over the world.
... said Greg on Jul 20, 2011 at 3:17 PM | link
Apparently that dog is stuffed and mounted, too, and belongs to a national museum.
... said daleyplanit on Jul 20, 2011 at 4:00 PM | link
There's an Owney the Dog Look-Alike Contest! (It's sponsored by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.) http://apps.facebook.com/promosapp/172763
... said Laura on Jul 27, 2011 at 2:36 PM | link