MatBowyerBooks.com

Bio: Mathew Justice Bowyer. (Excerpted from the U.S. Postal Service Eastern Region Bulletin dated March 12, 1976.) "Book jackets capsule an author. This one reads: 'He dates his fascination with the postal system to his boyhood when he used to listen to the nostalgic call of the whistle from the mail train every night.' The author is Mathew J. Bowyer. The book is They Carried The Mail: A Survey of Postal History & Hobbies. Luce/McKay - 1972. Now out of print, and most copies in public libraries, the book is considered a collectors' item by followers of postal history. `Mat Bowyer is a supervisor at Dulles International Airport Mail Facility, Washington, D.C. He says of his job: "My father lost a fortune in the 'Crash of 29'. I grew up in the Depression Days. So, I wanted security. The Postal Service has given it to me."' The Washington Star once wrote of Mat: "His hobby, he says, is postology, a term he coined for the collection of postal memorabilia. But obviously his real hobby is postal people in all their infinite variety." A 23-year postal veteran, and a stamp and postal history collector for 40 years, Mat Bowyer has amassed background material that will undoubtedly survive his lifetime. Adding flavor to his writing and engagements as an after-dinner speaker, Mat's travels - at times as a tour host - have included virtually all of the European countries, the Mid East and the Pacific.

Editor's Note: The above-quoted bio, published by the U.S.P.S. in 1976, failed to mention that Mat, before becoming a postal employee, was a veteran of World War 11, earning the Philippine Liberation Medal. When the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, the U.S. Army asked the soldiers on Luzon for volunteers to occupy Japan. Thus Mat became one of the first wave of soldiers in the occupation of Japan. The above-mentioned book, They Carried the Mail, Mat's first (1972), was put back in print in 2001 by BackInPrint.com, in collaboration with the Authors Guild. It is still available at BackInPrint.com, iUniverse.com, Amazom.com, BarnesAndNoble.com and other internet bookstores for a price of only $14.95. It is a pleasure to report that Mat Bowyer is alive, well, and still going strong.

To read Mat's recent article (a book is in progress), Roanoke River: The Mother of America, click here.

More Work In Progress: It has recently been brought to my attention that, according to the U.S. Postal Service, there has not been a published postal history book of nine of the fifty United States, with Virginia included in those nine. I find that intriguing. So, I am now working to fill that void. Many names in this Appalachian area in which I now live speak for themselves, such as the little town of about 5,000 souls in nearby Rural Retreat and the similar town named Appalachia, but others are challenging. The origin of a place name is all important. However, subsequent events such as the fact that Rural Retreat was once known as the Cabbage Capital of the World, are interesting. If you have any relevant information or anecdotes about any place in the State of Virginia, I would appreciate your input. I find some of the most scarcely-known history of place names comes from outside the area of that name. Whimsy, jokes, and fanciful untruths are also wanted. They enliven dry history.

Note to Editors, Publishers and Agents: Mat has several book manuscripts in the final stages of writing, and some finished. There is a 50-plus year accumulation of articles, published and unpublished. They run the gamut, from history to novellas. He has no agent and would welcome inquiries from editors, publishers, and agents. Some of the book manuscripts are Premiers of the Posts: Firsts in postal history and philately, Ways and Wares: Americana past, Food and Drink: Origins, anecdotes, etc., Graves of the Great Locations of last wordly remains, Commandments Charade: Novel re the decalogue, Preacher Jokebook: Ministry jokes, People of Religion: Biographies, Mini-Sermons for Mighty Kids: Stories for ages 4-12, Matthew's Experiences : Stories for ages 4-12.