Special Delivery Via The Newport & Springfield/Tr4/R.p.o.

Received this cover today, a 1904 2c carmine stamped envelope (Scott U395) with a 1902 10c blue special delivery stamp (Scott E6) is postmarked with a Lyndonville, Vermont duplex dated 24July1907 (8 p.m.).

The cover is addressed to Mrs. Mary F. Rines in North Troy, Vermont. J. P. Webster, the individual named in the return block, was the postmaster of Lyndonville from 8Oct1897 to 22Jun1910.

The backstamps indicate the cover traveled some portion of its approximately 43 mile journey by train and was received in North Troy at 8 a.m. on July 25th.

I wonder why it was sent special delivery for a train trip of 43 miles. Presumably the letter would have gone on the same train that the special delivery went. I guess the only difference was that when the letter got to the destination PO, it was immediately delivered, but I still wonder just how much time was saved.

The post office in many (most?) early small villages were small affairs usually set up in the home of the postmaster (in the case of my grandmother - post mistress). An individual would go to that place to get their mail. In the case of special delivery, it was expected that the mail item would be hand delivered to the recipient's door. During winter, it was difficult to get out, so one checked his/her mail maybe once a week. With special delivery, the postmaster was the one who had to brave the elements!