WASHINGTON.- To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the museum is hosting “Alphabetilately: An Alphabet of Philately,” a vibrant alphabetical exhibition about collecting, stamps and the sending of mail. “Alphabetilately” officially opens to the public Friday, Sept. 26.

From advertising covers to Zeppelin post, all 26 topics are clearly defined and richly illustrated with intriguing examples, including rarely displayed pieces from the museum’s permanent collection. The stamps, envelopes and objects on view span three centuries, and the stories they tell will delight visitors of all ages and of all degrees of philatelic sophistication. This exhibit offers an innovative way of looking at the hobby of stamp collection. It also demonstrates the length—sometimes creative, sometimes heroic—that people have gone to stay connected via mail.

Pat Burke, exhibition director, said, “I knew the museum had to capture the excitement in an exhibition that would inspire and enlighten noncollectors and also feature rare and stunning objects from our own collection. We are delighted to feature ‘Alphabetilately’ as our premier exhibition in honor of our 15th anniversary.”