Callao in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Chambers Stamp Factory

Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009

1. Chambers Stamp Factory Marker

Inscription. Two miles northeast, at Lodge, stood the Chambers Stamp Factory, owned by the same family for our generations. Founded in Washington, D.C., about 1830 by Benjamin Chambers, Sr., an engraver and inventor of a breech-loading cannon, the company specialized in postmark and cancellation stamps. From 1867 to 1931 the company was the sole supplier for the U.S. Post Office Department. Benjamin Chambers, Jr., moved the factory to Lodge in 1877. After his death in 1908, his son Henry B. Chambers, Sr., assumed direction of the company until he died in 1927. Henry B. Chambers, Jr., succeeded him. In July 1931 the postal department awarded the contract to Pitney Bowes and the Chambers Stamp Company closed the next year.

Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-54.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1931.

Location. 37° 57.975′ N, 76° 33.854′ W. Marker is in Callao, Virginia, in Northumberland County. Marker is on Richmond Road (U.S. 360) just west of Hampton Hall Road (Virginia Route 202), on

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the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Callao VA 22435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Rev. Paymus Nutt (approx. 0.9 miles away); Greater love hath no man than this (approx. one mile away); Cherry Point and Cowart’s Wharf (approx. 1.9 miles away); Holley Graded School (approx. 2½ miles away); Richmond County / Northumberland County (approx. 2½ miles away); British Attacks at Kinsale and Muddy Point / The War of 1812 (approx. 2.7 miles away); The War of 1812 / British Attacks at Kinsale and Mundy Point (approx. 2.7 miles away); Northumberland County / Westmoreland County (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Callao.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009

2. Chambers Stamp Factory Marker

Chambers Stamp Factory Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Judith H Harris, circa June 1963

3. Chambers Stamp Factory Location

The peninsula was part of three acres purchased by my parents in 1960. The actual factory was not standing but you could see the foundation outline in the grass. It would have been in the tree area in front of the house, which you can see in this photo.

Photographed By Frank R Scheer, circa 1920

4. Chambers Stamp Factory Marker

A building view of the Chambers Shop for manufacturing postmarking devices used by the Post Office Department.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,283 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on June 23, 2013, by Judith H Harris of Birmingham, United States. 4. submitted on December 23, 2019, by Frank R Scheer of Boyce, Virginia.