Part I. Connecting stamps to history and culture -- 1. The world of stamps and the Inverted Jenny / Cheryl R. Ganz -- 2. Gems of American philately / Cheryl R. Ganz -- 3. History of the National Philatelic Collection / Daniel A. Piazza -- Part II. Focusing on United States stamps -- Creation of the National Stamp Collection / Cheryl R. Ganz -- The National Stamp Collection / Cheryl R. Ganz, Daniel A. Piazza, and M.T. Sheahan -- U.S. stamp designs over time / Cheryl R. Ganz -- Part III. Expanding beyond the National Stamp Collection -- The Postmaster General's Collection / Cheryl R. Ganz and Daniel A. Piazza -- The Benjamin K. Miller Collection / Cheryl R. Ganz -- U.S. revenues / Ronald E. Lesher -- Part IV. Binding the nation -- History of U.S. postal operations / Nancy A. Pope -- Mail marks history / Cheryl R. Ganz and Daniel A. Piazza -- Military mail / Lynn Heidelbaugh -- Hawaii / Cheryl R. Ganz -- Canal zone and the missing bridge error / Richard Bates -- Part V. Understanding worldwide cultures through philately -- The international collections / Cheryl R. Ganz and Daniel A. Piazza -- International treasures / Daniel A. Piazza -- Part VI. Creating a new home for a national treasure -- The William H. Gross Stamp Gallery / Cheryl R. Ganz -- Windows into America / Cheryl R. Ganz.