A Lot of History Is In A Mailbag

Angie Arcierno asks on Troy, New York's The Record website, "Have you ever wondered what stories a mailbag could tell?"

She pens, "Mailbags were made by the mail equipment division at the U.S. Postal Service. This division was in charge of issuing the mailbags, mail locks and keys, the making of the bags, and any repairs to them. The mailbags had to be strong and durable, yet not heavy or bulky. Over the years, inventors have filed hundreds of patents for new and improved mailbags."

Angie points out, “mailbag” is a broad term that is used to describe any bag that carries mail. The mailbag (shown above) that is at the Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) is not technically a mailbag, but a mail pouch. Mail pouches were made of heavier weight materials and were designed to lock. These pouches were used to transport first-class and registered mail, as well as domestic or military airmail."

To read the entire article, click here.