So - we're not done writing and sharing.  Not by a long shot!  Instead, we're looking to make some changes for the better. After over ten years of posts at this site, I am moving the Genuine Faux Farm blog! You have three opportunities to subscribe.   1. The Genuine Faux Farm blog on Substack. 2. The Postal History Sunday blog on Substack 3. My writings under Rob Faux | Genuine Faux Farm on Medium. In each case, you can subscribe so you receive new articles in your email inbox each time a new article is released. On Substack, you can subscribe for free, but you will be aske ..read more

Welcome to Postal History Sunday!  I hope you take the opportunity to enjoy learning something new - or at least you like to be entertained by a person who thoroughly enjoys their hobby.  Either way, this isn't a half bad way to spend a few moments of your day. In this edition, I wanted to revisit the topic of dockets on postal history items.  The last time I did so, Postal History Sunday was only a few months old. I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two since then. So, let's get to it! What's a "Docket?" Postal historians and postal history collectors often reference dock ..read more

Winter has very much arrived and made itself welcome at the Genuine Faux Farm.  After a late start, we've had multiple snows, strong winds, and some bitter cold.  All in a period of a couple of weeks.   One of the myths that I tell myself about the cold weather is that I'll get to spend more time with the postal history hobby I enjoy.  It's a good story, at least, that helps me tolerate trudging out to the laying hens in wind chills of thirty below.  But the reality is that there are often more, not fewer trips, out to deal with farm chores.  And while I spen ..read more

My origins as a postal historian have roots in my early interest in collecting postage stamps (philately).  As a kid on a shoestring budget, my first source of stamps for collecting came from mail items that my family received, closely followed by stamps torn from covers that were saved by relatives.  The postal historian in me shudders that I may well have been responsible for the destruction of some interesting covers.  But, if it were not for the willingness of people to at least salvage the stamps on my behalf, I may never have explored postal history at all. With my limited ..read more

Welcome to Postal History Sunday, a weekly feature where I share a hobby I enjoy with anyone who has interest.  It doesn't matter if you are an accomplished postal historian or just a curious bystander, everyone has an opportunity to learn something new.  Ignore your troubles for a bit - maybe if you forget to water them, they won't keep getting larger?  Grab a beverage of your choice and put on your fluffy slippers and take a few moments away from the rest of your busy life. This week, we're going to look at the service provided by letter carriers in the United States to get th ..read more

It's hard for me to believe that we are now deep into December - Christmas Eve to be exact.  After weeks of rushing around trying to do everything all at once, we find ourselves preparing to spend some quality time with family.  And since that's exactly what I want to be doing, it seemed right to just have a little fun with this week's Postal History Sunday. Last year, we did Twelve Covers for a Christmas Postal History Sunday.  This year, we're going to do one for each reindeer.   If you're looking for me to be super clever with my selections as they line up with rein ..read more

Welcome again to Postal History Sunday! For those who may be unfamiliar with Postal History Sunday, I thought it might be time to give a brief re-introduction this week.  The GFF Postal History blog started as a place where I could work on various postal history projects and perhaps, eventually, share them with others. But, when the pandemic took hold in 2020, I felt it was a way to reach out to others and share something I enjoy - perhaps helping those who read what I wrote some sense of connection or a point of interest to counter feelings of isolation. Postal History Sunday became a re ..read more

Welcome to Postal History Sunday!  If you've been here before, you know what to do.  If you haven't - we're glad you decided to visit.  Grab a favorite beverage, making sure to keep it away from the keyboard or the paper objects I will be sharing today.  Settle into a comfy chair and kick off the tight shoes and put on the fuzzy slippers.  If your brain is occupied by things that are less than positive, put them aside for a time while I share something I enjoy.   And maybe...just maybe.  We'll all learn something new! Clues to get from here to there One ..read more

Welcome to this week's Postal History Sunday!  As we enter the final month of the year I am forced, once again, to reconcile myself to some of the realities of the academic year.  Those of you who have connections to schools, colleges or universities can probably relate to this.  While I am no longer directly involved, my lovely bride is.  As a result, I get to live the life of the school cycle vicariously! To put it succinctly, December typically goes by in a blur. And so, this week, I am going to focus on some of the aid I have received from many other people as I seek to ..read more

Welcome to the first Postal History Sunday after Thanksgiving 2024.  The American Thanksgiving holiday has been, and continues to be, an important one to me.  It reminds me to exercise my gratitude muscles in all things that I do, including the postal history hobby.  So, let me take a moment and thank everyone who has taken a moment to read and enjoy Postal History Sunday, it is a privilege to be able to share what I can with you. I am also grateful for those who have provided feedback to me.  I received kind appreciation for my efforts while I attended Chicagopex last week ..read more