The staff of the USPS historian’s office in Washington, DC, examines an artifact in the postal collection. From left are Steve Kochersperger, senior research analyst, postal history; June Brandt, research analyst, postal history; and Jenny Lynch, historian. The Postal Service is reminding employees of the proper procedure for disposing of historic items.
USPS is reminding employees of the proper procedure for disposing of historical postal equipment and documents.
If you no longer want to keep postal artifacts at your workplace, send photos and a description of each item to the Postal Service historian’s office at phistory@usps.gov to obtain guidance.
Artifacts should not be sent to USPS headquarters in Washington, DC, without approval.
Employees also may not take old postal items home, sell them or donate them to a museum. The reason: These items belong to the Postal Service and employees don’t have the authority to give away postal property without the USPS historian’s approval.
Most items accepted by the historian will be preserved for research and reference as part of the Postal Service’s collection. The historian can also provide guidance in disposing of valuable historic records.
For more information, refer to Handbook AS-701, Asset Management, Part 6-4.4, Material Requiring Special Approval.
Source: USPS