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A new exhibition from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum will explore the sport of baseball and how it came to be ‘America’s pastime’ through the lens of stamps and mail
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 06 Apr 2022
The exhibition will display commemorative stamps as well as memorabilia including game-worn uniforms Credit: Juan Carlos Briceño
The Smithsonian National Postal Museum is gearing up to open a new exhibition themed around baseball.
Called Baseball: America’s Home Run, the exhibition will explore the sport and how it came to be ‘America’s pastime’ through the lens of stamps and mail.
Opening on April 9, the exhibition will share memorable stories about how the game of baseball became integral to the country’s history and traditions and will feature hundreds of US and international postage stamps commemorating historic moments and iconic players.
Also on display will be original artwork and archival materials from the Postmaster General’s collection.
Complimenting the display of stamps and mail will be dozens of rare artefacts – including historically significant game-worn uniforms and memorabilia such as jackets, hats, game-used bats and baseball cards – loaned to the institution by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as well as private collections.
It will also pay tribute to many of the game’s most iconic players, including the first African-American Major League Baseball player Jackie Robinson, and other legends such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio, with original stamp artwork and production materials from the Postmaster General.
Since 1939, the United States Postal Service has issued more than 60 baseball stamps, most of which commemorate individual players. The artwork for these stamps was designed to mimic the look and feel of iconic baseball cards, and recall players’ achievements both on and off the field. The museum will also be showcasing several of the original portraits, depicting players in their uniforms, commissioned by the US Postal Service.
In addition, the museum has partnered with The Smithsonian Latino Center to present the exhibition in both Spanish and English, making the experience more accessible to Spanish-speaking stamp collectors and baseball fans.
“The exhibition examines the mythologies of the game of baseball and the role postage stamps have played in creating and enforcing that mythology,” said Daniel Piazza, the museum’s chief curator.
“We tell some of the lesser-known stories about the game of baseball through the medium of stamps and mail and explore fascinating details about the game in new and unique ways.”
Baseball: America’s Home Run will conclude on January 25, 2025.
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