Mail delivery by animal
Mail delivery by animals has been used in many countries throughout history. It used to be the only way to quickly transport large bundles of letters over long distances, until motorised vehicles became more widespread. Mail is still delivered by animals in a few remote locations that lack vehicular road access.
The term "snail mail" is a derogatory retronym used to refer to the delivery of letters in contrast to the immediacy of electronic mail.
Camels
In Australia camels were used to transport mail and supplies from Oodnadatta to Alice Springs until around 1929 when the railroad superseded it. The journey of around 520 kilometers took Afghan cameleers (Muslims and expert cameleers came from around the British Empire, mainly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, signed a 3 years contract and often married and created families in Australia) around four weeks. The service was celebrated by descendants of the cameleers in 2002.
Dogs
Dogs were used to deliver mail when pulling a dogsled. Dogsled mail saw limited use in the northern parts of Alaska and Canada during the Klondike gold rush (1896–1903) In the early years of Alaska settlement, there was no regular mail service to the interior post offices during the winter months (October to May), although individuals might agree to transport letters to coastal areas. Regular service seems to have begun around the 1910s, replaced in the 1930s by small aircraft.
The mail or post is a system for physically transporting documents and other small packages, as well as a term for the postcards, letters, and parcels themselves. A postal service can be private or public, though many governments place restrictions on private systems. Since the mid-19th century national postal systems have generally been established as government monopolies with a fee on the article prepaid. Proof of payment is often in the form of adhesive postage stamps, but postage meters are also used for bulk mailing. Modern private postal systems are typically distinguished from national postal agencies by the names "courier" or "delivery service".
Postal authorities often have functions other than transporting letters. In some countries, a postal, telegraph and telephone (PTT) service oversees the postal system, as well as hasa authority over telephone and telegraph systems. Some countries' postal systems allow for savings accounts and handle applications for passports. The Universal Postal Union (UPU), established in 1874, includes 192 member countries and sets the rules for international mail exchanges.
Mail Delivery (sculptures)
Coordinates: 39°57′04″N 75°09′19″W / 39.9510°N 75.1554°W / 39.9510; -75.1554
Mail Delivery is a set of four relief sculptures by Edmond Amateis made in 1941 for the Works Progress Administration and displayed at the U.S. Court House and Post Office Building in Philadelphia, now called the Robert N. C. Nix, Sr., Federal Building, at 9th and Market Streets. The reliefs are carved in granite and each measures about 108 inches (2.7 m) in height by 120 inches (3.0 m) in width.
The reliefs show the efforts of postal carriers delivering mail to the "four corners" of America. The East and West reliefs flank an entrance on 9th Street near Market Street. The North and South reliefs flank an entrance further south on 9th Street near Chestnut Street. Noted photographer and former Philadelphian Carol M. Highsmith photographed the reliefs as part of an assignment for the U.S. General Services Administration.
East
A fairly traditional 1940s scene represents the East. A postal carrier is dressed in a double-breasted uniform jacket and small round cap. He is bent over, like all the subjects in the reliefs, in this case over the front bumper of car and a mailbox attached to a fluted column. With his right hand he reaches toward the mailbox and he carries a mail pouch slung over his left shoulder. Another fluted column and the leaves of a tree complete the scene.
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