Postal History - Post geschiedenis

What is Postal History? Postal History is the story of written global communication in every form. Clay tablets, papyrus and parchment were the forerunners of today's e-mail and world wide web. Because the envelope did not come into general use until the 1840's, much later in some countries, most early letters were sent as an entire with the address on the outside together with all of the relevant postal markings. Their contents are therefore retained for posterity, unlike envelopes where more often than not the contents have been discarded over the years. We thus only have the address and postal markings to deduce the sender and destination. These early letters cover every conceivable aspect of life.

Methods of Communication The letter or envelope can tell the historian whether it was carried on foot, on horseback, by stage coach, railway, ship, balloon, airliner or even pigeon or rocket. It can answer questions about the route taken and the length of the journey.