The Heliograph

The Heliograph is the journal produced by the Western Postal History Museum, now known as the Postal History Foundation, from 1987-2000. Many of the articles in the Heliograph explain aspects of the postal history of Arizona, New Mexico, and other western states.

The Heliograph was succeeded by Stamp Tracks, the Postal History Foundation’s newsletter.

Some articles are indexed at the American Philatelic Research Library’s online catalog. In the drop-down options, select “Material Type” and type “Article” in the second box, and keep the second drop-down as “All libraries and indexes.”

You can also search here for keywords by using CRTL-F (PCs) or CMD-F (Macs).

Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 1, Winter 1987, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 1, Winter 1987

  • The naming of The Heliograph
  • U.S. Post Office transit markings: Albany-Boston by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • “A ride with the star route mailman, Prescott to Crown King” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Western Postal Museum Library report by Lawrence Pawley
  • Arizona Territorial post office studies: La Osa
  • Chiricahua Apache centennial cachets
  • “A philatelic cane” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr (about the donation of a cane covered in postage stamps)
  • Book reviews and news: Postal Markings of United States Exposition by William J. Bomar ; Addenda to New Mexico Territorial Postmark Catalog, Ninth Edition, by Dr. Thomas Todsen ; Special sale of Western Postal History Museum Publications
  • The Heliograph salutes the philatelic press: The Daily Stamp Item, 1896
  • Arthur Springer retires as director
  • “U.S. mail routes in southern Arizona before the Civil War” by F. Eugene Nelson
  • The editorial policy for this new publication
  • Feature cover: Cayuga Lake, N.Y, 1873
  • Feature philatelic photograph: New York, Susquehanna & Western R.R. at Charlotteburgh, N.J.
  • Contributing members list
  • Back cover: Western Postal History Museum building drawing, logo
Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 2, Spring 1987, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 2, Spring 1987

  • “New York harbor boat service” by James H. Bruns
  • U.S. Post Office transit postmarks: Boston-Buffalo by Charles F. Nettleship Jr, and Charles L. Towle, continued from The Heliograph number 1
  • Arizona Territorial post office studies: Quijota
  • Book review: The Postal History of New Hampshire: the Post Offices and First Postmasters from 1775 to 1985 by Chester M. Smith Jr.
  • Feature cover: San Francisco 1893
  • “Coil wrapper labels” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr.
  • “The postal history of Oracle” by Omega Williamson
  • “The mystery of Arizmo, AZ” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “Pre-Civil War post offices in Arizona” by F. Eugene Nelson
  • Duplicate books of the Western Postal History Museum for sale
  • The Heliograph contest: The smallest envelope
  • Contributing members list
  • Tales of the camel corps
  • Back cover: Western Postal History Museum building drawing, logo
Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 3, Summer 1987, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 3, Summer 1987

  • “The postal history of the Grand Canyon area (part 1)” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • U.S. Post Office transit postmarks: Buffalo-Detroit by Charles F. Nettleship Jr, and Charles L. Towle continued from The Heliograph number 2
  • The Heliograph salutes the philatelic press: bibliographic publication printed in 1910 covering publications from the State of Colorado
  • Feature cover: Cuba 1898
  • “Pre-Civil War post offices in Arizona” by F. Eugene Nelson, continued
  • New publication from the Collectors Club of San Francisco: From the Winged Heels of Mercury
  • “Oops! Or hadn’t you noticed?” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr (The Heliograph policy on including items about errors/cinderellas; discussion of postmark errors)
  • Territorial post office studies: Oro Blanco
  • New Mexico territorial postmark catalog addenda by Thomas Todsen
  • The Education Department, Western Postal History Museum by Hildy Nelson (history of the department)
  • “The Western Postal History Museum retains new executive director” (Douglas A. Kelsey)
  • The Heliograph contest: the earliest U.S. post card
  • Tales of the Camel Corps
  • Contributing members list
  • Back cover: Western Postal History Museum building drawing, logo
Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 4, Fall 1987, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 1, no. 4, Fall 1987

  • “An extraordinary American” by James H. Bruns (John Clum)
  • Territorial post office studies: Arivaca
  • “It happens with railroad postmarks, too!” by Charles F. Nettleship, Jr. (errors)
  • The Heliograph smallest envelope contest
  • “The postal history of the Grand Canyon area part two” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Paper traces (announcement of new section that will feature ephemera)
  • “If Phineas Fogg could do it” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • “The Courtright-Stevens correspondence: Forts Sumner and Union, New Mexico”
  • U.S. Post Office transit postmarks: Detroit-Indianapolis by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L Towle (continued from The Heliograph volume 1, number 3)
  • “Train wreck cover with an official report” by Charles L. Towle
  • Feature cover: South Broadway street car Railway Post Office of St. Louis Oct. 20, 1911
  • ARIPEX ’88 announcement
  • Contributing members list, some pictures
  • Back cover: Western Postal History Museum building drawing, logo
Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 1, Winter 1988, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 1, Winter 1988

  • “The Courtright-Stevens correspondence: Forts Sumner and Union, New Mexico” (continued from volume 1, number 4)
  • Territorial post office studies: Dos Cabezas
  • “The re-establishment of U.S. postal service in South Carolina, 1861-1867” by Robert J. Stets
  • Paper Traces: Adam Hanna = Adamana
  • “The devil’s own canyon” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Book reviews: Glider Mail by Simine Short; Collecting Waterway R.P.O.s by Charles L. Towle and John Kay
  • The Heliograph contest announcements
  • “Walton Eugene Tinsley honored by Arizona Camel Corps at SESCAL ’87”
  • ARIPEX 1989
  • U.S. post office transit postmarks (continued from volume 1 by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle)
  • “Just another cover saga? (Or tracking down paper traces)” by Samuel Wallace Dougan
  • Feature cover: New Orleans, La., 11 A.M. May 16, 1945
  • “U.P.U. mail to non-U.P.U. countries (Or what’s in a name?)” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • Book review: A Wartime History of the U.S. Post Office Department, World War II 1939-1945 prepared under the direction of the Postmaster-General
  • Tales of the Camel Corps
  • Contributing members list, some pictures
  • Back cover: Western Postal History Museum building drawing, logo
Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 2, Summer 1988, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 2, Summer 1988

  • “Images of a scandal: the 19th century star route frauds” by James H. Bruns
  • “The penny postal card often got its man” by Herman Herst, Jr. (“wanted” cards)
  • U.S. post office transit postmarks (continued from volume 2, number 1) by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • “New Mexico Territory discontinued post offices” submitted by Dr. Thomas K. Todsen
  • Paper Traces: suggestion — don’t overlook the pulp paper catalogs by Brooke Harlowe and Charles F. Nettleship Jr.
  • “Non-stop airmail pickup and delivery service” by John Kay
  • Feature cover: Wells, Fargo, Harshaw, A.T. 1881
  • Territorial post office studies: Redington
  • “The philatelic truck visits Arizona” by Robert B. Bechtel (Phoenix Dec 4 1941 cover with “Post Office Department Philatelic Exhibit Mailed on Display Car”
  • Lexington, KY printed “Free, post office business” 1851
  • Raymond Weill addresses the Arizona Philatelic Rangers
  • “Herring, Sardines, and Ice Worms” (Little Port Walter, Alaska, June 12, 1920 cover)
  • “The analysis of a fake” by Douglas A. Kelsey (U.S. postal card issue of 1875, postmarked Cincinnati)
  • “An early Mare Island Navy Yard letter”
  • First flight of “Queen of the Yukon” on newspaper (reprint of 1928 paper Whitehorse Star)
  • Book review: Somewhere in atime, the Kansas Territory, 1854-1861 by Wallace A. Martin, 1987
  • Tales of the Camel Corps
  • Contributing members list, some pictures
  • Back cover: illustration of family stamp collecting by Vincente Zenone/advertisement for Raymond H. Weill Co.
Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 3, Summer 1988, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 3, Summer 1988

  • “Physicians and stamp collecting” (old circular)
  • “The fourth class post office” (picture only; post office buildings)
  • “One postmaster’s problem” by James M. Brun
  • “The longest trip for a penny contest” (New York/Calcutta cover 1894)
  • U.S. post office transit postmarks (continued from volume 2, number 2) by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • “A difficult area of collecting U.S. stamps on cover”
  • Territorial post office studies: Solomonsville
  • Post offices of New Mexico mining camps: Kingston by Dr. Thomas Todsen
  • “The U.S. Registry system: the ‘Byzantine’ Period, 1880-1910” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Feature cover by Charles F. Nettleship Jr: Stampless folded letter with blue straight line Tyson Furnace, Vt., June 22, 1841
  • “Serving with the ambulance corps” by Elizabeth Towle
  • “United States despatch agents” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • Inside back cover: Camel Corps, Tales of the Camel Corps (from Lt.Edward Beale’s Report)
  • Outside back cover: Robert A. Siegel Auction Gallery advertisement
Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 4, Summer 1989, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 2, no. 4, Summer 1989

  • “Thomas Leavitt, a pioneer of postal automation” by James A. Bruns
  • “Vermont thrift in reverse” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr.
  • U.S. transit postmarks (continued from volume 2, number 3) by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • Territorial post office studies: Apache Pass
  • “Serving with the ambulance corps” by Elizabeth Towle, continued From volume 2, number 3
  • “The U.S. Registry system: the Byzantine period 1880-1910” by Robert B. Bechtel
    continued from volume 2, number 3
  • The Post Office Bulletin file
  • “The Lee family correspondence manuscripts” by Albert W. Bork
  • Feature cover: Governor Goodwin, congressional free frank 1862
  • “The postage rates were lowered? Gosh, I missed it!” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • “Fly high with philately!” (ARIPEX 1989)
  • Camel Corps members list
  • Back cover: illustration of family stamp collecting by Vincente Zenone/advertisement for Raymond H. Weill Co.
Heliograph, vol. 3, no. 1, Summer 1989, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 3, no. 1, Summer 1989

The ARIPEX 1989 Issue

  • “The Potts letter box” by James H. Brun and Michael J. Lilly
  • U.S. post office transit postmarks (continued from vol.2, no.4) by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • Territorial post office studies: Tres Alamos
  • “Collecting variations of postal history: (a) genealogical collecting” by Charles L. Towle
  • “The rarest airmail envelopes (Or, what I learned from rate studies.)” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • “The Courtright-Stevens correspondence: Forts Bascom and Craig, New Mexico Territory” by Richard B. Graham
  • “Confederate post offices in Florida” by Robert J. Stet
  • “The strip trip” (field trip to northwest Arizona)
  • Camel Corps members list
  • Back cover: illustration of family stamp collecting by Vincente Zenone/advertisement for Raymond H. Weill Co.
  • Loose-leaf flyer: “Specialties from the Museum Sales Department”
Heliograph vol. 3, no. 2, Summer 1989, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 3, no. 2, Summer 1989

  • “Postmark errors, Arizona Statehood, 1912-1982” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “The Courtright-Stevens correspondence, Part II: Forts Bascom and Craig, New Mexico Territory” by Richard B. Graham
  • Territorial post office studies: Vulture
  • “U.S. post office transit postmarks (continued from volume 3, number 1)” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • “Collecting variations of postal history: (a) genealogical collections”,” by Charles L, Towle, Continued from volume 3, number 1
  • Book [Album] review: The Confederate States of America General Issues Stamp Album
  • “Do it yourself expertizing” by Richard C. Frajola
  • “Modern postal history” Long Island N.Y. 1988 roller cancellation” facsimile (no article)
  • “20th century stampless covers” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • Monfort’s envelope dispensing machine
  • Arizona Statehood post offices and postmasters, 1912-1979, part I, by Alexander and Cross
  • Book Review: A Book of Postal History by Ernst M. Cohn
Heliograph, vol. 3, no. 3, Summer 1989, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 3, no. 3, Summer 1989

  • “Prominence on the cityscape … post office architecture” by James H. Bruns (post office buildings)
  • “Arizona Statehood post offices for which postmarks have not been recorded, 1912-1989” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Prescott, Arizona’s Fancy Registry Cancellations — 1928 by A.W. Bork
  • “U.S. post office ‘transit’ postmarks (continued from volume 3, number 2)” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • Book reviews: International Air Mails (as reflected in the US Postal Guides and supplements, 1921-1946), compiled by Robert Dalton Harris, volume 1, Postilion Series of Primary Sources, 1989 ; British Post Office Notices, 1762-1890, by M.M. Raguin
  • Territorial post office studies: Prescott
  • Arizona Statehood post offices and postmasters (continued), part 2: conveying the mails in Arizona
Heliograph, vol. 3, no. 4, Fall 1989, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 3, no. 4, Fall 1989

  • “Vanishing Americana: the lamppost letter boxes part II 1860 and 1870 style letter boxes” by James H. Bruns and Michael J. Lilly
  • “Oh no! Not another pigeon post?” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr.
  • Patents and the post office: 1903 The Pelletreau postal envelop [Envelope] by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • Announcement: The publication of The Arizona Statehood Postmark Catalog by Robert Bechtel
  • Territorial post office studies: Clifton
  • “Cover, cover, who’s got my cover?” (1858 Fort Union, New Mexico Territory cover)
  • Post offices of New Mexico mining camps — Azure by Tom Todsen
  • “Wolf Hole, Arizona: monument to a quiet man” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “Western Express cinderellas: 1914 Wells, Fargo poster stamps” [reprint of old Wells, Fargo ad?]
  • “U.S. post office transit postmarks, addenda no. 2” by Charles F. Nettleship Jr. and Charles L. Towle
  • A tribute: Francis McCarty Jennings
  • “The saga of the Reynolds bombshell” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • Cover for this issue: corner cover of the Ash Creek Gold Mining and Milling Co., Mammoth, Arizona, 1907
  • Arizona Statehood post offices and postmasters, part 3 (conveying the mails in Arizona, IV: corrigenda for Theobald territorial list; Adama (Apache)-Ajo (Pima)
  • Book review: A List of Handbooks, Periodicals and Auction Catalogs in the Bierman Philatelic Library, first revised edition, 1989, by Stanley M. Bierman
  • Inside back cover: Arizona Camel Corps members as of November 1, 1989
  • Outside back cover: advertisement for Raymond H. Weill Co.
Heliograph, vol. 4, no. 1, Winter 1990, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 4, no. 1, Winter 1990

  • “Don’t mess with the mail” by James H. Bruns
  • “Mail delayed-train late handstamps” by John R. Mason
  • Patents and the post office: Samuel Carusi Of Washington, District of Columbia, letters patent no. 73,296, dated January 14, 1868, improvement in Postage-Stamps
  • Territorial post office studies: Alexandra
  • The lost is found: WPHM locates and restores lost cover to its contents (1858 Fort Union, New Mexico Territory cover)
  • Post offices of New Mexico mining camps: Azure by Tom Todsen
  • Feature cover: September 4, 1989 issue of Forbes
  • “The depths of Pool, Arizona” by Robert B. Bechtel, Ph.D
  • “Rudyard Kipling’s short-lived Vermont post office” by Charles F. Nettleship, Jr
  • “Drop letters” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • The Heliograph and the philatelic press (Stamp Collector’s Record, December 15,1864)
  • “Of course it’s the post office!” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • Inside back cover: PHF publications and some member lists
  • Outside back cover: advertisement for Christies auction, The David L. Jarrett collection of United States postal markings
Heliograph, vol. 4, no. 2, Spring 1990, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 4, no. 2, Spring 1990

  • “Motorized two- and three-wheelers” by James H. Bruns
  • “James W. Denver, politician, bureaucrat, correspondent” by Richard B. Graham
  • “Early postal service in North Carolina” by Robert J. Stets
  • The Heliograph and the philatelic press: Independent Philatelist 1885
  • The embryo metropolis by Thomas J. Alexander: Washington City, District of Columbia 1797
  • Despatch from the frontier: sending trees through the mail
  • Book reviews: Arizona Territorial Postmark Catalog, Fifth edition, by Owen H. Kriege
  • Arizona Territorial Post Office: Cottonwood
  • Arizona Statehood post offices and postmasters, part V: Castle Hot Springs (Yavapai)-Cyclopic (Mohave)
  • Inside back cover: PHF publications and some member lists
  • Outside back cover: advertisement for Christies auction, The David L. Jarrett Collection of United States postal markings
Heliograph, vol. 4, no. 3, Summer 1990, front cover

The Heliograph, vol. 4, no. 3, Summer 1990

  • In Memoriam—Charles L. Towle
  • “U.S. War Department Official Stamps and the Army Forts” by Rollin C. Huggins, Jr.
  • Postage stamp-sized post offices by the WPHM staff; illustrations provided by Stanley F. Spurgiesz
  • “Hotel forwarder markings” by D.A. Kelsey
  • Despatch from the frontier: Klondyke mail service
  • “America’s oldest postmaster” by William L. Alexander (Leonard D. Redfield)
  • “We just wanted you to know that…” (rare / esoteric facts or details about postage stamps or postal history)
  • Book review: American Air Mail Catalog 1990 Pricing Supplement, published by the American Air Mail Society
  • The Heliograph and the philatelic press (The Minnesota Stamp published by Hart and Ruehlman, Pipestone Minnesota)
  • Patents and the post office: Robert S. Williams, of Merchantville, New Jersey, assignor to Charles V. Williams, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, return postage stamp, specification forming part of letters patent no. 522,037, dated June 26,1894. Application filed March 3,1894, serial no. 502,188, (No model)
  • Book review: UPU MAIL. Annual Tables of Exchange Rates and of Postage Rates to the U.S.. 1881-1953 as exemplified by short paid matter, The Printer’s Stone, Ltd.
  • The embryo metropolis by Thomas J. Alexander: Detroit, Michigan Territory, 1816
  • Arizona territorial post office: Holbrook
  • Arizona statehood post offices and postmasters, part VI: Date Creek (Yavapai)-Fry (Cochise)
  • Inside back cover: PHF publications and some member lists
  • Outside back cover: advertisement for Robert G. Kaufmann auction, The George J. Kramer Collection of Wells Fargo
Heliograph, vol. 4, no. 3, Summer 1990, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 4, number 4, Fall 1990

Special 30th Anniversary Issue

  • Happy Thirtieth Anniversary
  • Name changed to Postal History Foundation
  • Early Western Postal History Museum history and special events
  • Arizona Philatelic Rangers
  • The Philatelic Education Department and Youth Education
  • WPHM Publications
  • Library
  • WPHM and the Nonprofit Envelopes by D.A. Kelsey
  • WPHM Sales Department
  • Exhibit Department
  • Tour of WPHM Dioramas and Paintings
  • Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops
  • How The Heliograph got its name (… since you asked)
  • On the employment of dromedaries in transporting mail and express matter across the plains to California, 1884″ by Gwinn Harris Heap
  • Inside back cover: list of Postal History Foundation staff and instructors (from the beginning)
  • Outside back cover: Advertisement for the PHF’s Postal History Seminar
Heliograph, volume 5, number 1 Spring 1991 , front cover

The Heliograph, volume 5, number 1, Spring 1991

  • “Origins of the ‘underclass’ mail” by Mike Foster
  • “The first postmasters under the U.S. Constitution” by Robert J. Stets
  • “The Hidalgo Express Company” by Sam Dougan
  • Despatch from the frontier: star route swindles; free mail delivery
  • Patents and the post office: Charles Franklin Bush, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, assignor of one-third to H. C. Evert & Company, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a copartnership. Identification system. Specification forming part of letters patent no. 792,312, dated June 13, 1905. Application filed February 10, 1904, serial no. 192,982
  • Feature covers: Operation Desert Shield
  • Book reviews: A Sourcebook for Postal Relations Between the U.S. and the Countries of the Western Hemisphere by Robert Dalton Harris, The Printer’s Stone, Ltd. ; Colorado Post Offices, 1859-1989 by William H. Bauer, James L. Ozment, and John H.
    Willard. Colorado Railroad Museum
  • “Ola Young, postmaster from the Pleasant Valley ‘war'” by William Alexander
  • The embryo metropolis by Thomas J. Alexander: Louisville, Kentucky, 1815 War Rate
  • Arizona territorial post office: Young
  • Arizona statehood post offices and postmasters, part VII: Gadsden (Yuma)-Indian Wells (Navajo)
  • Inside back cover: list of Postal History Foundation staff and instructors (from the beginning)
  • Outside back cover: Raymond H. Weill logo
Heliograph, volume 5, number 2 Spring 1991, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 5, number 2, Spring 1991

  • Feature Cover: An unusual find from the frontier (1883 postal note)
  • “U.S. Express Mail cancels, a modern postal history report” by Walton Eugene Tinsley
  • “Exclusively for ladies” submitted by Brad Arch (excerpt from ‘The Post Card, 1890′ discussing ladies’ cards and ‘women’s rights in postal cards’)
  • “Policies of the Post Office Department relating to place-names” by Arthur Hecht and William J. Heynen
  • “Where is Franklin?” (on duplication and similarity of post office names)
  • “Short-lived rate periods of the 20th century” by D.A. Kelsey
  • Patents and the post office: John D. O’Connor, of Washington, District of Columbia, assignor to Charles G. Patterson, of New York, NY, Reply Envelop [Envelope] and postal card
  • “Presidential campaign envelopes and letter paper” by James W. Milgram
  • The embryo metropolis by Thomas J. Alexander: Dallas, Texas, 1851
  • “Arizona’s very own APOs” by Robert B. Bechtel.
  • Book Review: The Postal History of the AEF, 1917-1923, second edition, edited by Theo. Van Dam
  • Arizona territorial post office: Agua Frio Valley
  • Arizona statehood post offices and postmasters, part VIII: Inspiration (Gila)-Maddox (Navajo)
  • Inside back cover: Foundation receives many donations in 1990 (list of donors)
  • Outside back cover: The Printer’s Stone, Ltd. list of publications
Heliograph, volume 5, number 3 Summer 1991, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 5, number 3, Summer 1991

  • “The case for meter stamped mail as postal history” by Douglas A. Kelsey
  • “The great postage stamp swindles by fourth class postmasters in mid-1870s” by Margaret S. Jones
  • “The El Paso & Los Angeles RPO” by Joseph N. Sparks, former curator, Western Postal History Museum
  • Patents and the post office: August Petersohn, of Washington, District of Columbia, improvement in postal cards, specification forming part of letters patent no, 163,520, dated May 18, 1875; application filed April 20, 1875
  • The embryo metropolis: Minneapolis, Minnesota Territory, 1855
  • Despatch from the frontier: Fairbanks, Alaska, “Last dog sled mail carrier should have kept his dogs”
  • Feature cover: stamped envelope used outside the mail
  • Arizona territorial post office: Agua Caliente
  • Arizona statehood post offices & postmasters, part X: Madera Canyon (Santa Cruz)-Nogales (Santa Cruz)
  • Inside back cover: Postal History Foundation books for sale
  • Outside back cover: in memory of Roger G. Weill and Stephen D. Bechtel, Sr.
Heliograph, volume 5, number 4 Fall 1991, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 5, number 4, Fall 1991

  • Betsy Towle named executive director
  • “‘Shall stagecoaches carry the mail?’ a debate of the confederation period” by Oliver W. Holmes
  • Despatch from the frontier: Buckeye, Arizona
  • “No loss to postal history” by Herman Herst, Jr. (about a “a cover dated Oct. 17,1783 with initials “BSS” at the upper left)
  • Book reviews: Postal Operations in the United States, 1794 by Robert J. Stets, Sr. 1991; Postage Due — The United States Large Numeral Postage Due Stamps, 1879-1894, by George B. Arfken, Collectors Club of Chicago, 1991
  • “U. S. post offices in 1792” by Robert J. Stets
  • The embryo metropolis: 18th century New York and Philadelphia
  • Arizona territorial post office: Ellison
  • Arizona statehood post offices & postmasters, part X: Northeast Sta.—Phoenix (Maricopa)-Pinon (Navajo)
  • Inside back cover: Postal History Foundation publications for sale
  • Outside back cover: “This issue is dedicated to the Tucson Stamp Club, organized 1883”
Heliograph, volume 6, number 1 Winter 1992, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 6, number 1, Winter 1992

  • “America’s rural free delivery” by Nancy A. Pope, National Philatelic and Postal History Museum
  • “A summation of the franking laws and regulations, 1775-1808” compiled by Richard B. Graham
  • “On being too many places at once: the scandal of Mrs. Hunt” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Patents and the post office: automatic postage stamp printing; patented Feb. 27, 1940; 2,191,667
  • Despatch from the frontier: Ehrenberg, Arizona Territory
  • Arizona territorial post office: Ehrenberg
  • Arizona statehood post offices & postmasters, part XI: Pinto (Apache)-San Luis (Yuma)
  • Inside back cover: Postal History Foundation books for sale
  • Outside back cover: World Columbian Stamp Expo ’92 advertisement
Heliograph, volume 6, number 2 Spring 1992, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 6, number 2, Spring 1992

  • “Star route mail frauds of 1870-80s, with special emphasis on route 40101” by Margaret Jones
  • “Pony express riders had their day and so did bicyclists back in 1894” by Bert Schapelhouman
  • “Oregon’s provisional post office” by Walter M. Underhill
  • Heliograph and the arts (discussion of song “Good-by Old Stamp, Good-by” and the poem “Collectin’ Stamps”)
  • Patents and the post office: Loughlin Conroy, of New York, NY, improvement in screens for postal cards, specification forming part of letters patent no. 142,899, dated September 16,1873; application filed June 25, 1873
  • Feature cover: Honolulu, 1936, regarding supplementary mail and late fees
  • Arizona statehood post offices & postmasters, 1912-1979, part XII: San Manuel (Pinal)-Sunnyside (Cochise)
  • Inside back cover: Postal History Foundation publications for sale
  • Loose-leaf flyers: The Arizona Philatelic Rangers will host a dinner at World Columbian for Rangers and their guests on Friday, May 29, 7:30 ; Postal History Foundation items for sale (philatelic items)
  • Outside back cover: In Memoriam — Charles Towle
Heliograph, volume 6, number 3 Summer 1992, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 6, number 3, Summer 1992

  • “Pre-territorial mails in Arizona” by William L. Alexander and Ralph Williams ; edited by F. Eugene Nelson
  • “The penny postal card—additional postage required in the nineteenth century” by D.A. Kelsey
  • “On studying postal guides” by Herman Herst, Jr
  • Despatch from the frontier: postal inspectors, 1923
  • The embryo metropolis by Thomas J. Alexander: Ohio
  • Patents and the post office: David G. Beaumont, of Austin, Texas. Improvement in postage or revenue stamps. Specification forming part of letters patent no. 102,803, dated July 10, 1877 ; application filed May 12, 1877
  • “The end of an era in Arizona philately” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Arizona statehood post offices & postmasters, 1912-1979, part XIII: Sunnyslope BR — Phoenix (Maricopa)-Vernon (Apache)
  • Outside back cover: Postal History Foundation publications
Heliograph, volume 6, number 4 Fall 1992, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 6, number 4, Fall 1992

  • “The drama of Spooner, Wickliffe and the end of the private posts” by D. A. Kelsey
  • “A great page in aviation: unqualified success of four day through-service trial gains praise of nation. Air mail service beats Army flight record.”
  • “Beginnings of Western mail” by Mike Foster
  • The embryo metropolis by Thomas J. Alexander: California
  • Patents and the post office: Lewis Abraham, of New York , N.T. letters patent No. 102,200, dated April 20, 1870. Improvement in revenue and postal stamps.
  • “Interrupted mail: A photo collection of mail that didn’t quite make it to its destination in the regular manner”
  • Arizona statehood post offices & postmasters, 1912-1979, part XIII: Vicksburg (Yuma)-Zeniff (Yuma)
  • Inside back cover: “Dane S. Claussen named editor of The Heliograph
  • Outside back cover: In Memoriam: Charles Francis Nettleship, Jr.
Heliograph, volume 7, number 1 Winter 1993, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 7, number 1, Winter 1993

  • “The story of the 1st aero squadron (or, Pancho Villa and the founding of the US Air Force)” by John R. Weimer
  • “The postal history of Arizona’s Japanese-American relocation camps” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “Praise the Lord, pass the ammunition and please send my fiancee a custom-made brassiere: letters from the Postal History Foundation collection”
  • “U.S. Express Mail cancels– a modern postal history report, part 2” by Walton Eugene Tinsley
  • “New Mexico mining camps: Kingston” by Thomas K. Todsen
  • Patents and the post office: Adram C. Monfort, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island), assignor to the Moxfort Stamp and Envelope Company, of Maine envelope-dispensing machine. Specification forming: part of letters patent no. 489,683, dated January 10, 1803
  • Inside back cover: Editor’s message: ARIPEX, exhibiting seminar, Slussers donate money for library, change in The Heliograph from Western only to world-wide philately.
  • Outside back cover: Celebration of Clyde Jennings
Heliograph, volume 7, number 2 Spring 1993, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 7, number 2, Spring 1993

  • “The Florence, Arizona, POW Camp” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “1943 Letter from Papago Park POW camp” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “The Rev. Horace S. Bishop, postmaster, Fort Fillmore, New Mexico” by Thomas K. Todsen
  • “Getting the message through: clandestine mail and postage stamps” by Mark Sommer
  • “Across the continent” [exhibit] by George Kramer
  • Inside back cover: Editor’s message: ARIPEX, feedback, error, serialization of an exhibit
Heliograph, volume 7, number 3 Fall 1993, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 7, number 3, Fall 1993

  • “Charles Nettleship Jr. community advertising covers collection cataloged by the Postal History Foundation Tucson Arizona, 1993” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “The Grand Canyon’s first post office: Tolfree, Arizona” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • Patents and the post office: method and device for authentication of first day of issue stamps by Antonio A. Versaci of Schenectady, N.Y. Patent number 4,641,578. Date of patent: Feb 10, 1987 ; Discount coupon and stamp holder by Brad McClain, Jr. of Houston, TX. Patent number 4,795,195. Date of patent: Jan 3, 1989.
  • Editor’s Message: Nettleship advertising covers
Heliograph, volume 7, number 4 Winter 1993, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 7, number 4, Winter 1993

  • “Across the Continent (part II of the serialization of George Jay Kramer’s exhibit)”
  • Inside back cover: Editor’s message: Betsy Towle attended Mega-Show in New York City to give a seminar on getting children involved in philately; long-time volunteer Hilde Nelson retires; a class in PHF program working to get a Charles Curtiss stamp; serialization of George Jay Kramer’s “Across the Continent” exhibit; reminder of wider scope of The Heliograph and request for submissions.
Heliograph, volume 8, number 1 Winter 1993, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 8, number 1, Winter 1993

  • “Across the Continent (part III of the serialization of George Jay Kramer’s exhibit)”
  • Editor’s message: 10th edition of Tom Todsen’s New Mexico Territorial Postmark Catalog available; bound volumes of The Heliograph volumes 4-6 available; The Carriers And Locals Society’s journal The Penny Post; reminder of wider scope of The Heliograph and request for submissions.
  • Back cover: Weill logo, issue dedicated to Raymond H. Weill
Heliograph, volume 8, number 2 Spring 1994, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 8, number 2, Spring 1994

  • “Complimentary franks from the United States Express Company” by Bruce H. Mosher
  • “Across the continent (part IV of the serialization of George Jay Kramer’s exhibit)”
  • Back cover: A living testimonial to the service of Arthur E. Springer
Heliograph, volume 8, number 3 Summer 1994, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 8, number 3, Summer 1994

  • “Some unusual and interesting postal history during World War II” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “Across the continent (part V of the serialization of George Jay Kramer’s exhibit)”
Heliograph, volume 8, number 4 Fall 1994, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 8, number 4, Fall 1994

  • “Across the continent (part V [continued] of the serialization of George Jay Kramer’s exhibit)”
  • Folded map tip-in: The principal trade routes of the clipper ships” (in three scans)
Heliograph, volume 9, number 1 Winter 1995, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 9, number 1, Winter 1995

  • Philately and U.S. newspapers, 1850-1925 (part I of the serialization of Dane Claussen’s exhibit)
Heliograph, volume 9, number 2 Spring 1995, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 9, number 2, Spring 1995

  • “Philately and U.S. newspapers, 1850-1925 (part 2 of the serialization of Dane Claussen’s exhibit)”
Heliograph, volume 9, number 3 Summer 1995, front cover

The Heliograph, volume 9, number 3, Summer 1995

  • “The UPU ‘T” & U.S. Due” by Edward Leahy
  • “The sad end of Campstone” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • The Arizona Pride of Philately (Tucson Stamp Club)
  • “Across the continent (part VI of the serialization of George Kramer’s exhibit)”

The Heliograph, volume 9, number 4, Fall 1995

  • “Across the continent (part VI of the serialization of George Kramer’s exhibit)”
  • “Arizona Apollo 13 covers” by Bob Bechtel

The Heliograph, volume 10, number 1, Winter 1996

  • “Philately and U.S. newspapers, 1850-1925 (part 3 of the serialization of Dane Claussen’s exhibit)”

The Heliograph, volume 10, number 2, Fall 1995

  • “Philately and U.S. newspapers, 1850-1925 (part 4 of the serialization of Dane Claussen’s exhibit)”

From September 1997-December 1998, The Heliograph was issued as a monthly newsletter for volunteers called Tidbits, constituting volume 11. This newsletter is not available online but is available in the reading room of the Slusser Library.

The Heliograph resumes as a public newsletter, starting with volume 12.


The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 12, number 1, Winter 1998

  • Helio news: storage space in the Arizona Historical Society; In Memoriam Phyllis Ashwood; computerized games developed by the PHF education department
  • Editorial: reprint of editorial policy in volume 1, number 1
  • The Postal History Foundation Youth Education Program: description of program
  • “The Story behind The Heliograph“: reprint of article in volume 1, number 1
  • “On the employment of dromedaries in transporting mail and express matter across the plains to California, 1884” by Gwinn Harris Heap — reprint of article in volume 4, number 4
  • Back cover: letter from Ironwood Elementary regarding Phyllis Ashwood’s death

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 12, number 2, Spring/Summer 1998

  • “Land was never lost” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “From the editor” by Frank A. Millalieu: Frank A. Mallalieu introduces himself
  • “Printed media and the mails” by James Bruns
  • “Helio news” by Betsy Towle: summertime at the PHF
  • “News from the Arizona Philatelic Rangers” by John Birkinbine: Children’s Philatelic Education Endowment Fund
  • “Early Montana merchant mail” by Sam Dougan
  • Postal History Foundation Youth Education by Frank Klell: Red Rock Elementary School stamp club maintained by the Postal History Foundation
  • “Postal Foundation Receives Award” (from the Arizona Education Association)
  • Stamp Classes Offered: part of the Tucson Parks and Recreation program, taught by Jim Boylan
  • “Loose but not lost” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “A three-month trip with stop-overs” by C.W Bert Christian, Courtesy of Louise Christian

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 12, number 3, Spring/Summer 1998

  • “The struggle for statehood: a philatelic possibility” by Robert B. Bechtel
  • “Helio news” by Betsy Towle: new ventures with the Arizona district of the postal service, youth program, ARIPEX
  • The Youth’s Companion by Frank A. Mallalieu
  • “Introduction to perfins” by John Harding
  • “One moment in time” by Frank Mallalieu [Berlin airlift]
  • “The train robbery at Fairbank, Arizona” [by Frank Mallalieu]
  • “Postal History Foundation Youth Education” by Bob Koehler
  • “ARIPEX ’99: Tucson Convention Center, January 22-24” by Patrick Spencer
  • “The saga of undelivered mail” by Frank Mallalieu in collaboration with Ferd Lauber
  • “A philatelic phun quiz: name that king or queen”
  • Back cover: photo of the Postal History Foundation on 1st Ave.

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 13, number 1, Spring 1999

  • “From the Editor” by Frank A. Mallalieu: working with dedicated, inspiring and supportive individuals; in this issue; plea for contributing an article
  • “Jet sprays for the jet age” by Stephen Schonberg
  • “A changing of the guard: farewell to Dave Hopkins”
  • “Welcome to Lena Rogers”
  • “The Massacre at Wickenburg” [by Frank Mallalieu]
  • “Helio news” by Betsy Towle (ARIPEX)
  • “Postal History Foundation Youth Education” (ARIPEX, collaboration with USPS)
  • “Fit for a king” by Frank Mallalieu [King Farouk]
  • “A philatelic phun quiz: Bright Eyes”
  • “Spotlight on… Ferd Lauber”
  • “The saga of undelivered mail continues” by Frank Mallalieu in collaboration with Ferd Lauber
  • Back cover: photo of the Postal History Foundation on 1st Ave.

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 13, number 2, Summer 1999

  • Inside front cover: images of Lena Rogers, Harland Beckman, and ARIPEX ’99
  • “From the Editor” by Frank A. Mallalieu: Sonoran Desert stamp events at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; in this issue; youth stamp collectors
  • “Helio news” by Betsy Towle (Board of Directors report, Eileen Weisbard given roses)
  • “PHF hosts reception” (first day ceremony for the Sonoran Desert stamp)
  • “The other ship called Arizona” by Robert Bechtel
  • “William Andrews Clark and welfare work in Arizona” by Jeanette Rodda
  • “The Euro versus the ECU: are you ready for the next collecting craze?” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “Jackass mail” [by Frank Mallalieu]
  • “Postal History Foundation Youth Education” (ARIPEX, collaboration with USPS)
  • “What’s your story?” (youth worksheet)
  • Back cover: photo of the Postal History Foundation on 1st Ave. and the Sonoran Desert stamp set

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 13, number 3, Fall 1999

  • Inside front cover: image of Dragoon post office and map of Dragoon area
  • “From the Editor” by Frank A. Mallalieu: In this issue
  • “An unaccommodating postmaster” story reprinted from The Stamp Collector, July, 1886
  • “War is hell: a soldier’s letter”
  • “What’s new in the Peggy J. Slusser Library” by Frank Mallalieu: review of the American Air Mail Catalog, Volume One, Sixth Edition
  • “The Great Barrier Island pigeon post” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “From the archives of the Postal History Foundation: Dragoon Mail” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “Director’s corner” by Betsy Towle: features of the Foundation that the visitors
    seemed to enjoy the most — the philatelic window, the Youth Education Department, the stamp processing room, the library
  • “And you thought stamp collecting weren’t a good investment!”
  • “Arizona Philatelic Rangers review: the Arizona Rangers at IBRA ’99” by Werner Helms, “Two Ranger directors ride into the sunset” (Walton E.Tinsley, and William H.Wallace,) by John Birkinbine
  • “The saga of undelivered mail concludes” by Frank Mallalieu in collaboration with Ferd Lauber
  • Back cover: photo of the Postal History Foundation and Slusser Library on 1st Ave.

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 13, number 4, Winter 1999

  • Inside front cover: images of the exterior Slusser Library
  • “From the editor” by Frank A. Mallalieu: two new contributors (Betsy Towle and Chuck Laubly); in this issue
  • “Director’s corner” by Betsy Towle: ebay, website
  • “Whale of a tale” by Chuck Laubly
  • “Spotlight on: Ranyta Sullivan”
  • “The Peggy J. Slusser Memorial Library” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “Buckboard mail” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “Letter carriers and private mail receptacles, part 1” by Betsy Towle
  • “Juan Bautista de Anza: his expeditions and their impact on the development of the southwest by Frank A. Mallalieu
  • Photos of the interior Slusser Library
  • Back cover: photo of the Postal History Foundation and Slusser Library on 1st Ave.

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 14, number 1, Spring 2000

  • “From the Editor” by Frank A. Mallalieu: in this issue; thanks to contributors Carl LeMar John, Stan Spurgiesz, Warren Franzen.
  • “Director’s corner” by Betsy Towle: Foundation volunteers receive the APS Ernest Kehr Award — Ranyta Sullivan and Phyllis Ashwood
  • “The earth quaked and it shaked” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “The best mayor in the best town in American” by Frank Mallalieu (Tucson, Rudolph Rasmussen)
  • “Letter carriers and private mail receptacles, part 1” by Betsy Towle
  • Poem “Stampmeeting” taken from the March 1887 edition of The Western Philatelist
  • “Labor of love” by Frank Mallalieu
  • “Finally, the correct Grand Canyon stamp (almost) by Frank A. Mallalieu
  • “A Grand (Canyon) time was had by all”
  • Back cover: photo of the Postal History Foundation and Slusser Library on 1st Ave.

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 14, number 2, Summer 2000

  • “Celebrate the Century express”
  • “From the editor” by Frank A. Mallalieu: in this issue; need contributors
  • “Director’s corner” by Betsy Towle: design a stamp: the Postal History Foundation introduces new computer program
  • “The Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893” by Frank Mallalieu
  • From the postal store: Columbian Exposition postal notes
  • “Wile E.Coyote and the Road Runner make their desert debut” story and photos by Karen Taylor
  • Arizona Philatelic Rangers review: welcome, new Rangers Paul Gohdes, Harland Beckman, and Edward Grafe
  • Back cover: 1893 Columbian Exposition illustration

The Heliograph: Postal History Foundation Newsletter, volume 14, number 3, Fall 2000

  • From the Editor by Frank A. Mallalieu: in this issue; editor resigns
  • Director’s corner by Betsy Towle: “The times, they are a’changing” (Postal History Foundation programs)
  • “Happy fortieth anniversary” adapted from the 30th anniversary issue by Frank A. Mallalieu with year 2000 update by Betsy Towle
  • “History of the Western Postal History Museum” (including William Alexander, Arthur Springer)
  • “How The Heliograph got its name” reprinted article from volume 1, number 1 issue
  • “The Arizona Philatelic Rangers: a brief history: by John Birkinbine
  • “Stampers stomp at Stamp Expo 2000” by Robert Bechtel
  • Photos of volunteers
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