2-888-628 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Extraordinary Accumulation of Postage Stamps, 1850. '...a young lady...was to be placed in a convent, by her father, if she did not procure...one million of used postage stamps. This caused numerous persons to forward stamps for the purpose of securing her liberty. In March last, a lady...mentioned the conditions to her friends, and in a short time the lady began to receive packages by post and railway from every quarter, which poured in in such numbers, that, in ten days...she received parcels containing millions of stamps...it became necessary to give public notice...that it was urgently desired no more stamps should be sent, as the young lady had procured the number she required. The accompanying Sketch gives some idea of the packages. One of them is a large wine-hamper; another, a large wine-cooler; next, a large clothes-basket'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.