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For broadcast on CBS Radio Network stations July 28-29, 2006:

Arago Arrives

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries. 

The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum in Washington is a great place to visit. Even 
my wife, a non-collector, found it interesting. But what if you're not visiting Washington? 
That's no longer a problem, says the museum's Ted Wilson. You can use the online 
Arago <ah-RAH-go> system.

"It allows anyone who has Internet access to be able to access the Museum's collections."
RUNS :05

Only a small part of the holdings are online so far; more are coming. You can not only see 
the stamps and postal material, but also read stories about them.

"It kind of combines an online exhibition with the museum's collections database."
RUNS :04

Many top stamp collectors have written the stories that go with the items in Arago.

"One hundred and thirteen of really the best known researchers in the country are helping 
us with Arago."
RUNS :05

And where does the name Arago come from?

"Francois Arago was a 19th century scientist and a close friend of James Smithson, who was 
the founder of the Smithsonian."
RUNS :07

And Arago believed in the use of technology.

That's Stamp Collecting this week. 

I'm Lloyd de Vries, CBS News.
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[Longer Version]

Download this report as an MP3 sound file.

The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum in Washington is a great place to visit. Even 
my wife, a non-collector, found it interesting. But what if you're not visiting Washington? 
That's no longer a problem, says the museum's Ted Wilson. You can use the online 
Arago <ah-RAH-go> system.

"It allows anyone who has Internet access to be able to access the Museum's collections."
RUNS :05

Only a small part of the holdings are online so far; more are coming. 

"We're basically prioritizing based on what we think collectors and researchers would like 
to access."
RUNS :06

You can not only see the stamps and postal material, but also read stories about them.

"It kind of combines an online exhibition with the museum's collections database."
RUNS :04

Wilson says spreading information is part of the Smithsonian's mandate.

"We also believe it will help people better understand what's in our collection, and then 
want to come to the museum to see those objects in person as well."
RUNS :08

Many top stamp collectors have written the stories that go with the items in Arago.

"One hundred and thirteen of really the best known researchers in the country are helping 
us with Arago."
RUNS :05

And where does the name Arago come from?

"Francois Arago was a 19th century scientist and a close friend of James Smithson, who was 
the founder of the Smithsonian."
RUNS :07

And Arago believed in the use of technology.

I'm Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more about stamps and stamp collecting, 
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com
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