Stamp Collecting in the 1940’s

The decade of the 1940’s was defined by WW II. The totality of the war experience is hard for Americans today to understand. Currently, we have been at war for over ten years with most of the impact for most Americans being the character of the nightly news. WW II required a total mobilization of America. Every man between the ages of 18 and 35 was subject to the draft and most were in the military. Rationing existed for nearly everything and most drivers got a gallon or two of gas a week and no tires. In 3 1/2 years America mobilized and fought a two front war projecting military might around the globe and defeating two powerful enemies at once. It was perhaps the greatest military feat in history and the war’s effect on American philately was profound. Most people didn’t have time for stamps. Workers were working overtime and the huge military effort took millions of men of prime philatelic age out of the market. Worldwide, the massive destruction of Europe made stamp collecting go into hiding. The world had other things on its mind. Philately regained its footing after 1945 in the US but returning veterans had school, careers and families to build so throughout the decade stamp collecting was on the back burner. Europe, traditionally the center of philately, was devastated and one stamp dealer in particular, J & H Stolow imported millions of European classics into the US at bargain basement prices.