This May we're talking all things "Who's Got Mail? The History of Mail in America" by Linda Barrett Osborne. A nonfiction look at the history of mail in America from Benjamin Franklin to the U.S. Postal Act of 2022, this short and concise book is a must-read for the postal nerd. Read on for more thoughts on why "Who's Got Mail?" is perfect for the letter lover.
It may seem silly to ask but we always do...is this a book about letters? You can be sure! And so much more. With sharp focus and keen command of language Barrett Osborne presents an astutely historical and anthropological study of the U.S. postal service.
Here at Flea Market H.Q. we're in research mode for a big upcoming project. We've collected a number of books about mail, letters and even postboxes in the nearly 7 years of the archive so it was about time to get started on a handful of them! When wefound this text Barrett Osborne has distilled an impressive bibliography of resources into digestible and intriguing facts for her reader. All at once approachable and illuminating, Barrett Osborne's covers the formation of the U.S. postal service dating back to the 18th century, provides comprehensive reflections on the role of transportation in delivering mail and posits theories of how the postal service could look in the future.
Barrett Osborne opens the book with a list of 'famous' mail carriers. Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, and Steve Carrell held jobs with the U.S. postal service before going onto make their names and fame, to highlight a few. From there the reader travels to the Confederacy struggling to service the influx of demand for stamps during the Civil War to the evolution of airmail, and much much more.
The U.S. Postal Service has long been a fixture in communities. It serves to bring information in and out of areas. Barrett Osborne deftly looks to the role of Women, African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans in building that network of communication. For anyone interested in educating themselves about the accomplishments -- and failures -- of the U.S. Postal Service this book will be of interest.
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Do you have a 'Book About Letters' you think would be a great addition to our shelves? Write to us at info@fleamarketloveletters.com today.