RPO's (The Railway Post Office)
The Postcard Man, Collector's Journal, WWI Letters, Celebrity Homes and High on the Hog!
History of RPO’s
When I was younger, I did not appreciate history. In fact, it was my worst subject in school. Now that I’m an old lady, older, I enjoy history. Especially when it comes to the postal system and things I see on a postcard. I even enjoy looking up publishing companies.
The first time I heard the term, RPO, I was watching a postcard reseller on YouTube. The Postcard Guy was sharing what sold for the week. He had sold a postcard that had an RPO marking on the back, and he mentioned that it was postmarked on a moving train.
Naturally, it intrigued my curiosity, so I googled it.
Although the Railway Post Office no longer exists, it lasted from 1864 to 1977. RPO’s were considered mobile post offices. Mail was sorted and postmarked while the train was moving.
It made writing a letter while traveling via a train so much more convenient and efficient.
Postal clerks sorted mail while the train was moving, which expedited mail delivery. RPO’s revolutionized mail delivery by reducing the amount of time it took to get to its destination.
Sadly, the RPO’s decline was due to air mail and changes in the transportation industry.
As I’m writing this, I’m imagining myself sitting in a dining car, writing to a friend about the beautiful scenery I glimpse through the windows. I am romanticizing the event in my mind. And even today, I feel a sense of loss for that bygone era.
Fun Facts:
Postal Clerks: Working on an RPO was a prestigious job, but it was also dangerous. Clerks had to maintain their balance while sorting mail on a moving train, often at high speeds.
Mail Hooks: RPO cars had mail hooks that could grab mailbags from trackside posts as the train sped by, and deposit outgoing mail to similar posts without stopping.
The Postcard Man
Lowell Joerg, 96, has been collecting vintage postcards as a hobby since the 1980’s. His passion was collecting postcards that depicted buildings on them from all across the United States.
He lives in an assisted living facility now, and his wife has passed away. He still has a passion for postcards. But instead of collecting them he is returning them to the city they came from.
He picks a random business to mail the postcard to. (a business that would be the current business in the building depicted on the postcard)
He calls his new hobby a redistribution of happiness.
I felt happy just reading the article about this story. It was so delightful and unexpected.
An attorney’s office was one of the recipients of his redistribution of happiness in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
You can read the full story right here. It will make you smile from ear to ear.
The Collector’s Journal
This is a new to me online collector’s journal. It’s great for postcard enthusiasts because it comes from Barr’s Postcard News and Ephemera. The postcard shows seem to be current, but I’m not sure about the rest of the articles. It’s still worth looking at though.
Noteworthy Reads:
Valentine from WWII Letters Just because Valentine’s Day has passed doesn’t mean you can’t read other people’s love letters or write your own. This is a GREAT article.
Postcards of Hollywood Film Stars Homes
High on the Hog!
The Message: Tip top model no(.)in National Record 51617 dressed 756 (lbs). How is this for a razor back S.S. Howe (?) Breeder of Duroc Jersey Hogs. Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
To date, this is my highest selling postcard of all time. I listed it for $150 and less than an hour later I had an offer for $128, which I accepted. I have sellers’ remorse, because I probably could have gotten $300 or more for it.
Based on the information on the back of the card, I did some research but could not find anything at all. And I’m a pretty good researcher.
eBay Stats:
My eBay store is growing slowly but steadily. I was out of town for four days last week, so I didn’t list anything.
I now have 2,888 items listed. I’m looking forward to the day when I make it to 5,000.
I have no idea what will be in the next issue of my newsletter. But, until then, I wish you lots of sunshine.
XOXO
JarieLyn
P. S. I also write on a variety of topics Medium. I would love for you to check it out if you have the time. My handle is @BossLadyJarieLyn.
Thank for bringing up RPOs. In the National Postal Museum (DC), they have the railcars and what they looked like with cubbyholes for this purpose. They even have a story of a mail dog named Owney who rode the mail cars. It is fascinating!