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Stamps did not usher in our present day postal systems.They did, as we shall presently see, inaugurate an ideathat was to revolutionize all previous ideas for the carry-ing of mail. However, to gain a true picture of the great importancepostage stamps have played in developing contemporarycivilization, we must inspect the conditions that existedjust prior to their advent. England's postal system was more or less well estab-lished along designated postal roads throughout thekingdom. Overseas mail was carried at the sufferance ofship owners and masters. In our own country GovernorLovelace of New York had established regular postsbetween Albany and New York City (the old AlbanyPost Road, now U. S. Route 9), and between New Yorkand Boston (the old Boston Post Road, now U. S. Route1). Such carriers as were employed were abjured not todrink or use vile language. Later Benjamin Franklin wasappointed Postmaster for the Colonies and had in opera-tion a considerable postal system. |
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