Dr. Joel Lee, Author at Korea Stamp Society

The Story of Monsieur Charles Aleveque

June 12, 2021June 12, 2021 Dr. Joel Lee32Leave a Comment

Charles Aleveque (known in Korea as An Ryebaek, -晏禮百) made and distributed the first photographic postcards in Korea, published a French-Korean dictionary, and represented the Korean Government at the 1900 Paris Exposition. As a representative for a French trading company, he worked for trade between Korea and France, importing modern materials for the government of […]

The Story of Monsieur Tremoulet

May 26, 2021December 10, 2020 Dr. Joel Lee76Leave a Comment

Following the opening of Korea’s ports to international commerce in the 1880s, the Government recognized the importance of developing modern methods of mining. On September 4, 1900, the ‘Governmental Mining School’ to promote industrial education was established. The officials of the school were to be the principal, a superintendent, four trainers, an assistant trainer, and […]

Story of L’Abbe Pierre Pasquier

February 10, 2021March 5, 2021 Dr. Joel Lee2601 Comment

The Catholic Church in Korea started when Yi Sŭnghun came back from China after he had been baptized. He met Yi Pyŏk and Chŏng Yakchŏn, and together they built a faith community. The community remained viable even after small and large persecutions (about 10) during the almost 100 year long period starting with the Sinhae […]

Lee Neung-hwa, an unknown historical figure and a stamp collector in a time of turmoil

January 20, 2021March 5, 2021 Dr. Joel Lee2252 Comments

In Joseon (Korea) in the 33rd year (1896) of King Gojong‘s rule a French person, Emile Martel (1874-1949), established the French Language School in Seoul as a governmental institute in Jong-ro-gu, now known as Susong-dong (Korean: 수송동). Martel arrived in Korea in July 1894 at the age of only twenty years old. Subsequently this school […]

Beautiful Postal Cards and Postal Covers of Early Korea

May 16, 2020March 28, 2020 Dr. Joel Lee5201 Comment

Some of the rarest examples of postal history of Empire Korea, combining the images of early 20th century Korea on hand-tinted postal cards and a cover demonstrating all the stamps available at the Chemulpo, Korea post office on a single day are that of a correspondence addressed to Mrs. Charlotte K. Ober, University of Washington, […]

Entires with “TAEGEUK” of the 1st and 2nd Issued Sets

April 25, 2020March 28, 2020 Dr. Joel Lee483Leave a Comment

The Gab-sin coup d’etat (甲申政變; 갑신정변) of 4 December 1884 (Lunar calendar 10. 17.), attempted by the reformers at the opening ceremony of the post office, failed. All main figures were killed including Mr. Young-Sik Hong whose constant efforts had led to the issuing of a Royal decree to establish the Department of Post Office […]