Archives for July 2021

PRESS RELEASE – Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook

July 12, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: [David W. Gates Jr., david@davidwgatesjr.net, 815-206-8405]
Post Office Fans, www.postofficefans.com

[ILLINOIS POST OFFICE MURAL GUIDEBOOK] BY [DAVID W. GATES JR.] PUBLISHES HIS LATEST POST OFFICE MURAL GUIDEBOOK FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

His third post office mural guidebook!

[Crystal Lake, IL]—[May 12, 2021]

[Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook] by [David W. Gates Jr.] was recently published by Post Office Fans. [Post Office Mural Guidebooks] Gates’s latest guidebook is an account of all the post offices in Illinois that have artwork installed during the Great Depression of the 1930s. While the book does not show images of the artwork, Gates’s guidebook does provides the reader with vital statistics such as the location and status of the art in the state of Illinois.

Previous guidebooks by Gates include, Wisconsin and Tennessee.

I couldn’t be happier, Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook has been published by Post Office Fans. I’ve been so focused on other states, its nice to have my home state of Illinois out there now. This is also my largest guidebook to date so it took a little extra time to complete.

For a complete list of titles, please visit our bookstore. Follow @postofficefans on Instagram, or Twitter @postofficefans.

Post Office Fans, which began in 2011, is organized by David W. Gates Jr. (@davidwgatesjr). Founded in 2011, Post Office Fans exists today as a trusted source for post office mural books and conversations regarding post offices and the art housed in them. Post Office Fans is an independent publishing company based in Crystal Lake, IL focused on producing quality publications for post office enthusiasts.

Princeton New Jersey Former Post Office

July 11, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 20 Palmer Square E, Princeton, New Jersey 08542
ARTIST: Karl Free
TITLE: Columbia Under the Palm
MEDIUM: Oil and tempera (mural)
STATUS: The former Princeton post office is no longer an active, operating facility. The building is now privately owned, restricting access to the public. The mural has been reported to still be in the building. It previously resided on a wall in the main lobby.
YEAR: 1932

Prior to my recent trip, I knew the old Princeton, New Jersey post office was privately owned. All research I did also mentioned the mural still being in the building.

However, after visiting and seeing the loading dock, it seems to be undergoing renovations. If you peak inside you can also see the lobby under construction.

Which makes me wonder if the mural is indeed still in the lobby. Because of the large trees in the front and the impromptu lunch setup in front, it was next to impossible to get a good image from directly in front of the building, even if there were no people. the large trees cover up the front.

David W. Gates Jr.