I’ve frequently heard of “Farley’s Follies”
during my collecting life and have a general idea about these special press sheets of stamps, but I knew nothing about James A. Farley, the Postmaster General who originated the “Follies.” However, this February I was standing in the cold and snow outside my local Post Office in Catonsville MD waiting for it to open and noticed a fairly large inscribed panel, somewhat obscured
by bushes, at ground level on the front of the buidling. (White arrow points to the panel. Building photographed in warmer weather.) I walked through the snow and stooped to see the whole panel (Right). Surprise!…there was James A. Farley’s name, Postmaster General. I felt like I was touching history.
The Catonsville Post Office was constructed and dedicated in 1940 and originally featured New Deal-era artwork, including a mural completed in 1942. Unfortunately the artwork is no longer in place or has been covered over. I haven’t been able to determine which.
In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President, the only president who was also a stamp collector. He was a tireless promoter of the hobby and was active in the operations of the Post Office Department. He also designed some of the stamps issued during his twelve years in office.
In 1933, Roosevelt appointed James A. Farley (1888-1976), who was chairman of the National Democratic Committee, Postmaster General, a cabinet level position he held from 1933-1940. At the beginning of the Roosevelt administration, Farley gave the President special press sheets of new postal issues. Farley also gave samples of these special press sheets to other prominent persons as well as his children. (Left, Postmaster General Farley seated atop piles of airmail letters on National Airmail Week in 1938.)
These special press sheets of 20 stamp issues of 1933 and 1934 were the first sheets off the press during each stamp’s print run. Each sheet had multiple panes and, with two exceptions, they were imperforate and ungummed. (Right, Sheet of 3-cent Mothers of America stamps from 1934: an adaptation of Whistler’s Portrait of his Mother. Sheet is inscribed in green in the margins by Farley as a gift to his children. President Roosevelt signed the sheet in dark blue.)
When stamp collectors became aware of the special press sheets, there was an outcry. To appease the philatelic community, Farley ordered that all the special press sheets would be duplicated and sold to the public at face value.
Farley shouldn’t, however, be remembered only for his “Follies.” As Postmaster General he led a massive public-building program, constructing hundreds of new post offices to stimulate the economy during the Depression. In 1934 alone 361 construction projects were initiated. Farley’s tenure heavily expanded federal infrastructure, often adding murals and artwork to the new buildings. So now I’m pondering how many post office buildings have an engraved panel fitted to their front wall that includes:
JAMES A FARLEY
POSTMASTER GENERAL
