Free 'Childhood Amusements in America' Mini-Album

The American Philatelic Society has released another one of their free, downloadable mini-albums just in time for Christmas.

The new Childhood Amusements in America album consists of 16-pages and has spaces for U.S. stamps that feature games and toys "that have amused children in the United States in the past and continue to be enjoyed by children today."

The album starts off with the following commentary...

"Americans are often accused of 'spoiling' their children, which perhaps has something to do with the precarious nature of life on the frontier in the early days of settlement and exploration. In the eighteenth century between 10–30 percent of all children died in infancy; many colonial graveyards have markers that simply read 'baby' or 'infant.' Those children that survived quickly went to work for the good of the family, even the youngest had specific chores, many of which were laborious and even dangerous to modern eyes. By the mid-nineteenth century, however, improved health care and diet for all ages and a growing middle class meant a gradual easing of the pressure to work atan early age. Parents were able to indulge their children in playtime."

Funding for the development of the album pages was provided by Mystic Stamp Company.

To download the Childhood Amusements in America album pages, click here.