The history of mail in a brand-new exhibitionHull, Quebec, December 20, 1999 — On June 16, 2000, the Canadian Postal Museum will open a major exhibition called Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Postal Heritage in Evolution. The show explores a universal subject, covering the history of humanity and a wealth of regions around the world. Signed, Sealed, Delivered will enable visitors to follow the letter in an astonishing trip around the globe, through the ages and in all its possible forms — from authentic clay Mesopotamian tablets, to letters exchanged in wartime, to modern day e-mail.
Nine themes will breathe life into the most significant moments and events in the development of the postal system: writing practices, the origins of the post, the colonial era, Canadian postage stamps, transportation, sorting and technology in the transmission of mail, the contents of the mail, mail in wartime and the rural post office.
"With this exhibition of more than 400 objects, the Canadian Postal Museum presents a wide range of artifacts which have never before been revealed to the public, and which attest to the wealth and diversity of its vast collection," stated Joe Geurts, Acting President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.
Some of the more unusual items that will be on display include the first Canadian stamps, dating back to 1851; a magnificent bright red sleigh from the early 1920s that was used for mail delivery in the winter; a moving letter from a Canadian soldier named Herman Leishman to his girlfriend Joan, written three days before his death in July 1943; a mail-order form accompanying the 1932 Simpsons catalogue; and an authentic post office dating from the turn of the century — the Val-Morin-Station village post office will be entirely reconstructed and preserved, with all its historic details, in the exhibition.
The design, presentation, interpretation and installation of the exhibition are highly original and sure to please visitors of all ages. Several interactive components combining different technologies will make for a unique experience with every visit.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Postal Heritage in Evolutionwill be presented until 2005 and is one of the major exhibitions being presented by the Canadian Museum of Civilization to launch the new millennium. The Canadian Postal Museum has been part of the Canadian Museum of Civilization since June 1997 and expects to greet its millionth visitor in February 2000.
Information (media):
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