The Great War Era: The U.S. Post Office Department was created by Congress in 1789. In the 19th century, the Post Office initiated such advancements as the Pony Express and train deliveries. And the 20th century was a monumental time in development, innovation and improvement in the way the country's mail was serviced. During the first two decades of the 20th century, a period marked by the Great War and the emergence of the automobile, the Post Office Department first started depending on automobiles. In 1901, the Department entered into its first contract to deliver mail by car, delivering between the buffalo Post Office and the Pan american Exposition Grounds. The distance travelled was 4 miles and the trip took 35 minutes, but the Post Office was extremely satisfied, and began a similar service the following year in Minneapolis.
The Post Office contracted out all its vehicular business. But then, concerned with high rates and fradulent practices, it petitioned Congress for - and received - the first government-owned vehicle service. This service began on October 19, 1914 and was placed in effect in Washington, D.C.

Now, those early days of postal vehicles are captured in a vintage 1912 Ford Model T Postal Truck decorated with a recruiting poster bearing the famous words of Uncle sam: "I Want You."
Your 1912 Ford Model T Postal Truck is produced by - and available only from - Matchbox Collectibles.

(1999)

Scale: 1:43