Super Neat Library Centennial Envelopes

As those who follow this blog know, I collect library related envelopes (called covers by collectors) of all types.  My largest collection of these envelopes consists of those which have actually been sent either to or from libraries.  I also collect envelopes, however, that have been specially created for collectors to celebrate the issuance of a new stamp (first day covers) or to celebrate a special event. I have recently acquired a collection of envelopes that were created by Joshua McGee to celebrate the centennials of libraries. So far McGee has created envelopes for 25 libraries and plans to continue creating them in the future.  I’m impressed by the effort McGee, a non-librarian, has undertaken to create the envelopes.  The envelope shown above is an example that features the Paulding County Carnegie Library in Paulding, OH which was established on March 3, 1916.  After research to identify the centennial date of establishment for the library, McGee had to design the envelope, add appropriate stamps, and get the envelope to the post office in Paulding, OH to postmark the envelope on the date of establishment.  I especially like the use of the 1982 America’s Libraries postage stamp, one of my favorites.  McGee only creates six envelopes for each library. He sends one of the envelopes as a gift to the library and keeps one for himself.  The other four are available for sale on eBay or by subscription which is how I acquired my collection. The creation of the library centennial envelopes and other illustrated envelopes is a sideline for McGee who is a software engineer. All of the library centennial envelopes are shown on McGee’s website and more information about each library can be found by clicking on the images of the envelope.