The Carriage of Parcels by Tramway and Omnibus in Great Britain and Ireland

Abstract

• The British Post Office has, until recently, enjoyed an almost complete monopoly of the carriage of letters. A letter in general terms is an item up to one pound in weight. It follows that any item that is over one pound may be termed a parcel, will not be subject to the monopoly and may be carried by any person or entity. Probably the best known of the “private” parcels services are those operated by railway companies and the carrier or parcels delivery companies. Much less well known are such services run by tramway and omnibus undertakings and their associated stamps.