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The Mail Packet from Alexandria, off Marseilles - the Indian Mail on board, 1844
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The Mail Packet from Alexandria, off Marseilles - the Indian Mail on board, 1844
The Mail Packet from Alexandria, off Marseilles - the Indian Mail on board, 1844. Postal service between Britain and India: The India Mail - comprehending all the mails from the departments of the East - is made up at Bombay. It consists of bundles of letters, so packed, in strong iron boxes...these boxes are stamped with a crown, and the words, " GENERAL POST OFFICE - INDIA MAIL." The boxes, sealed and numbered, are put on board a powerful steamer, and sent direct to Suez, at the head of the Red Sea; then they are transmitted across the Desert in light carts, to Cairo, where they are shipped on the canal, and towed, or steamed, according to circumstances, to Alexandria, and thence across the Mediterranean. From " Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I
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Media ID 20369523
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British India British Raj Imperialism Letter Letters Mail Marseille Marseilles Mediterranean Sea Packet Boat Post Provence Alpes Cote Dazur Sailing Ships Steam Ship Steamship The Raj Black And British Empire Hindoostan Illustrated London News Sailing Ship
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "The Mail Packet from Alexandria, off Marseilles - the Indian Mail on board, 1844" offers a glimpse into the intricate postal service between Britain and India during the 19th century. The image showcases a bustling scene aboard a sailing ship, where iron boxes filled with bundles of letters are being prepared for their long journey. The process of delivering the India Mail begins in Bombay, where these carefully packed boxes are stamped with a crown and labeled as "GENERAL POST OFFICE - INDIA MAIL". Sealed and numbered, they are then loaded onto a powerful steamer that sails directly to Suez at the head of the Red Sea. From there, they traverse across the vast Desert in light carts until reaching Cairo. Once in Cairo, these precious cargo boxes are shipped through the canal by either towing or steaming towards Alexandria. This remarkable feat of transportation highlights not only the determination but also technological advancements of its time. The engraving captures both the grandeur of sailing ships and steamships against a picturesque Mediterranean backdrop. "The Mail Packet from Alexandria" serves as an important historical document showcasing how communication was facilitated between two distant corners of British Empire – Britain and India. It symbolizes an era when letters were cherished means of connection amidst geographical distances. Preserved by Heritage Images, this vintage print allows us to appreciate both Victorian-era craftsmanship and marvel at how far our methods of communication have evolved since then.
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