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The Last of the Coaches, c1840
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The Last of the Coaches, c1840
The Last of the Coaches, c1840. The Royal Mail coach service, begun in the 1780s, flourished until the coming of the railways in 1830. It was not long before mail was being carried by the cheaper and faster railway network and the coaches were phased out. This picture shows the London to Louth, Lincolnshire, coach being loaded onto the railway and the four horses which would have drawn it being taken away
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Media ID 14865846
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Innovation Loading Mail Mail Coach Oxford Science Archive Post Progress Stagecoach Station Train Wheelbarrow Obsolete Postal Service
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The Last of the Coaches, c1840
EDITORS COMMENTS
captures a pivotal moment in transportation history. This lithograph showcases the end of an era as the Royal Mail coach service, which had thrived since its inception in the 1780s, succumbs to the rise of railways in 1830. In this image, we witness the London to Louth coach being loaded onto a railway platform while its four majestic horses are led away. The scene symbolizes both progress and nostalgia. As technology advances with steam-powered locomotives, traditional horse-drawn coaches become obsolete relics of a bygone era. The vibrant colors highlight not only the beauty of these magnificent animals but also their imminent displacement from their once-vital role in mail delivery. This print reminds us of how innovation reshapes our world and transforms established systems. The bustling station teems with people engaged in loading and unloading mail bags, emphasizing that communication is evolving alongside transport methods. "The Last of the Coaches" serves as a visual testament to Victorian society's embrace of new possibilities while bidding farewell to familiar modes of transportation. It invites viewers to reflect on how advancements can simultaneously bring excitement and loss. As an archival piece from Oxford Science Archive's collection, this print allows us to glimpse into a significant turning point in history when railways revolutionized travel and communications forever.
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