Village Mail Coach c1825. English Coaching print.

$40.00

19th century Mail delivery, from an engraving drawn and engraved by G. Hunt, published by Thomas McLean in 1825. Besieged by barking dogs, the London Mail passes a village post office where the postmistress has heard the coach-horn and prepares to catch the letter-bag in her apron near the door of her neat cottage. Two farm labourers on their way to work with scythes over their shoulders, stop to watch. The milk-maid drives her cows down the lane, balancing her ewer of still-warm cream.

Royal Mail Coach Number 211 was a very elegant, early-style high-set coach. It had left Lombard Street Post Office at 8 o’clock the previous night. The two outside passengers, include a distinguished top-hatted gentleman who had the privilege of sitting beside the coachman – both well-wrapped for the chilly night in heavy top coats. The villagers are lightly dressed.

Four years later the General Post Office at St Martin’s-le-Grand was opened in 1829, and from 1838 an Act of Parliament authorized mail to be carried by rail.

Vintage coaching print with slight age-discolouration/foxing – size is 30 x 51cm (15 x 20 inches). Image approx. 245 x 470mm (9 5/8 x 18.5 inches) to border.