In this episode we're diving into our first batch of listener mail (much more to come folks!), as well as a topic of long-standing interest to (at least one) of our hosts: the USPS's iconic Standard Collection Box, aka the "blue box." For well over a century these sturdy steel sentinels (and their many predecessors) have helped move mail around the country's vast delivery network. And though their volume and locations continue to change, they remain a fascinating and ubiquitous fixture of American postal infrastructure—and a small but wonderful symbol of resilience and community.
As always, we'd love to hear from you: write to the show and we may send you a little something in return!
Birth. Stamps. Death.
P.O. Box 26
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
Links:
USPS Postal Facts on Blue Collection Boxes (USPS)
Mail Collection Boxes: A Brief History (USPS)
Background on early mail collection boxes in urban places (Smithsonian)
Evolution of the Post Box (The Postal Museum, London)
I Love Jeb Co. Mailboxes (A wonderful personal blog)
What is a Collection Box? (USPS)
Find some real-life blue boxes on PixPost (@chrispy_stamps)
Episode gallery (including our friend Cole's Chicago snapshot of old mail boxes!)
