Among a batch of covers I recently acquired was a stampless folded letter from 1841 sent from Springfield, Massachusetts to Atlas, Michigan. The letter is stamped "RAIL ROAD CAR." I've done a bit of research, and from what I've been able to figure out, the post office contracted with railroads to carry mail as early as 1832 and the US Congress designated railroads as official postal routes in 1838. I've also taken a stab at the rail lines that might have carried this letter. I've written up what I've been able to find, along with background on the letter writer and recipient, on my blog. You can get read that here:
https://www.mypostalhistory.com/pos...is-wife-1841. I'm no expert in early railroads or early railroad mail, so I would appreciate any corrections, additional information, or other sources I can look to.
Thanks!
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Posted 03/28/2023 2:28 pm
