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Up to this point the postal systems of the ancients
and even of the "moderns" had left no visible trace of
their existence except through accounts of historians.
There are exactly thirteen examples of Docwra's post
known to stamp collectors. Also, there are desultory
evidences of some of the previous posts like clay tablets
of Sargon's time preserved in the museums. But it was
not until the establishment of a truly public system of
posts that we have collectible evidence in the form of
letters. More particularly, it was not until the introduction of postage stamps that this evidence became of
general interest throughout the civilized world.
Stamps did not usher in our present day postal systems.
They did, as we shall presently see, inaugurate an idea
that was to revolutionize all previous ideas for the carrying of mail.
However, to gain a true picture of the great importance
postage stamps have played in developing contemporary
civilization, we must inspect the conditions that existed
just prior to their advent.
England's postal system was more or less well established along designated postal roads throughout the
kingdom. Overseas mail was carried at the sufferance of
ship owners and masters. In our own country Governor
Lovelace of New York had established regular posts
between Albany and New York City (the old Albany
Post Road, now U. S. Route 9), and between New York
and Boston (the old Boston Post Road, now U. S. Route
1). Such carriers as were employed were abjured not to
drink or use vile language. Later Benjamin Franklin was
appointed Postmaster for the Colonies and had in operation a considerable postal system.
Benjamin Franklin, first postmaster general of the United States.
Related terms include stamp collections and stanley gibbons stamp.
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