Edison Centennial – 1947 – Part 1

Back in February 1947 – 70 years ago this month – the country was celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Thomas Edison, often described as America’s greatest inventor. He was born Feb. 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio.

The small article on the front page of the January 16, 1947 Lorain Journal mentions that Edison was to be honored with a stamp. The celebration in Milan also included the opening to the public of the Edison Birthplace Museum.

Here are some vintage postcards of Edison's Birthplace. We went there at least once when we were kids, like all good Ohioans.

Vintage postcard dated 1924

Vintage postcard dated 1937

There are several first day of issue covers featuring the Thomas Edison stamp available on Ebay right now.

It’s interesting how formal and dignified stamps used to be back when they were engraved and not produced by lithography as they are now. It makes a big difference in how they look.

I wonder if stamp collecting is still a popular hobby?