The online database of the National Postal Museum, Arago™, was named in honor of the French physicist, astronomer and politician, François Arago (1786-1853). A friend of James Smithson (benefactor of the Smithsonian Institution), Arago believed that science and available technologies should be used to advance public knowledge and improve everyday life. Renowned as a scientist, he was also a humanitarian who used his political roles to introduce social reforms – the abolition of slavery, universal manhood suffrage, and the education of the lower classes – not only in France but also in its colonial possessions.
Please send suggestions or comments regarding the Arago website to arago@si.edu.
Anyone wishing to use any text, digital images or other electronic files found on Arago™ for commercial use or publication must first request and then await permission from:
Publications
National Postal Museum, Smithsonian Institution
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE; PO Box 75039
Washington, DC 20560-0570
Email: odonnellja@si.edu
Fax: (202) 633-9393
Phone: (202) 633-5525
Permission for such use is granted on a case-by-case basis. A usage fee may be involved depending on the type and nature of the proposed use.
Without this permission downloading, copying, or redistribution in any manner for personal or corporate gain is strictly prohibited. Commercial publication or exploitation of Arago™ content is prohibited.
Users of Arago™ may download content for their personal, non-commercial use, subject to any additional terms or restrictions which may be associated with the individual file or data.
All users must represent and warrant to the National Postal Museum that the downloading, copying, and distribution of such materials will not violate any other party’s proprietary rights.
National Postal Museum is not responsible for any errors created in or damage to the materials as a result of their use. All content on Arago™ is provided ‘as is’ with no warranties of any kind. The Museum will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from any use of any Arago™ content.
Digital image files, text and other electronic files found in Arago™ may be covered by restrictions and/or copyrights of the National Postal Museum, the U.S. Postal Service, and other entities and artists.
As a Smithsonian Institution museum, the National Postal Museum abides by the Smithsonian's web copyright and privacy policy statements.
Smithsonian Institution Copyright Policy
Smithsonian Institution Privacy Policy
Ordering Digital Images and Photographs
Arago™ has been designed to make appropriate use of technology while keeping the information accessible to a wide number of visitors. While we make every effort to anticipate these problems, users may find it necessary to make adjustments to settings or software in order to see the intended result. The site is presented in HTML format with enhancements using the Flash Player. The My Collection feature in the site requires the use of the Flash Player.
This site works best with browser versions Internet Explorer 6.0 and above, or Firefox. Multimedia features on the site require Flash Player 8 or higher. This is a free download.
The National Postal Museum gratefully acknowledges the continued support and commitment of the United States Postal Service. Some materials found on this site are owned by the United States Postal Service and used with permission and under license to the Smithsonian Institution and the National Postal Museum.