The Lillian Virginia Mountweazel Research Collection

Flag's Up (1972) was a photo collection commissioned by the United States Post Office Department to promote their newest innovation: the ZIP code. The project aimed to highlight the efficiency and modernization of the postal system through captivating imagery.

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It was later revealed that the project was actually funded by the Congress for Cultural Freedom, a front organization used by the CIA during the Cold War as part of their propaganda efforts against the Soviet Union. The intent was to showcase the creativity, intellectual freedom, and logistical prowess of the United States.

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While the collection was exhibited and promoted both domestically and abroad, all U.S. printed copies were tragically destroyed in a mysterious warehouse fire. Initially, blame was directed toward a disgraced former organizer of the 1970 United States postal strike. However, the case was dropped after an embarrassing revelation that the primary suspect was deathly allergic to fire, casting doubt on their involvement.

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Despite the controversy and loss of the original prints, Flag's Up remains a significant, albeit elusive, part of Mountweazel's legacy. The collection reflects a unique intersection of art, politics, and history during a turbulent era, highlighting the often unseen influences behind cultural projects.

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The photographs in our possession come from what is believed to be the only known surviving copy of the Flag's Up book, recovered by a researcher at an estate sale in Providence, Rhode Island.