Hamptons-Based Museum Highlights Vintage Whaling-themed Stamps And Postcards

Mailing Whaling – Postcards & Stamps from Around the World is an exhibit of 20th century whaling-themed postage stamps and postcards that is now on display at The Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum.

Richard Doctorow, the curator of the exhibit, explains, “The idea came to me when I was researching a local whaling adventure. A whale was caught of Amagansett in 1907. I remembered seeing postcards of this event, and I began to track them down. That got me wondering if there were other whaling-themed postcards, or even postage stamps. To my delight, I found there were dozens of stamps and hundreds of postcards that feature whaling, from all around the world.”

The exhibit features dozens of 20th century whaling-themed stamps and postcards from around the world that feature whaling men, whaling ships, whaling tools and whaling scenes – including a series of postcards recording the taking of a whale off East Hampton in 1907.

The exhibit displays about 75 stamps and postcards, as well as artwork done by seven local artists who used the postcards, stamps and Sag Harbor’s rich whaling heritage as their inspiration. These artists include Robert Carioscia, Whitney Hansen, Susan Lazarus-Reimen, Barbara Maslen, Dave O, Sabina Streeter, and Bob Weinstein.

“The museum has always had a wonderful relationship with our local artist community, and this exhibit is no exception,” added Doctorow. “Their art takes the exhibit to a whole new level.”

Mailing Whaling – Postcards & Stamps from Around the World will be on display through Sunday, July 21.

The Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum is located at 200 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, please visit www.sagharborwhalingmuseum.org.