I’m about half way through of Catherine Golden’s book Posting It: The Victorian Revolution in Letter Writing.  I saw Professor Golden speak a few weeks ago at the National Postal Museum and really enjoyed her lecture. I have to admit, I didn’t know that the postage stamp didn’t come around until 1840!  I did know that the “Penny Black” was the first stamp– I just thought it was much earlier.  Though I don’t know why, given that it has an image of Queen Victorian on it.

The book is fun to read– it’s re-inspired me to make things, mail things, and really touch paper again.  Part of why I decided to make that stationary yesterday is because I’d just read several pages about custom printed paper and seals.  Lots of fun.  Plus, I’m now longing for a world with twice daily (or more) deliveries!  Oh just imagine.

Although I’m not quite sure how I feel about some of the parallels she draws between Victorian postal reform at today’s electronic media, the historical parts of the book are fascinating.  My hesitation is probably that the insights do feel a bit obvious– but I’m also a “digital native” and a snob.  I’ve not gotten to the section dedicated to this explicitly, so I’ll hold off judgment for now.