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| Keywords: smithsonian institution smithsonianinstitution postal history postalhistory transportation rfd light runner lightrunner rural mail delivery ruralmaildelivery horse 1912 postcard rural free delivery wagon ruralfreedeliverywagon horse-drawn carriage horsedrawncarriage early letter carrier earlylettercarrier cart rural back day national postal museum nationalpostalmuseum Date: 1912 Object number: A.2009-53 Medium: postcard stock; photo-emulsion Description: The unidentified rural letter carrier is driving a horse-drawn Harrington "Light Runner" mail wagon. Unlike most Rural Free Delivery (RFD) wagons, the Light Runner's door was located at the back of the vehicle, not on the side. The wagon was painted white, and the lettering on the side "RFD Route No. 8 / U.S. Mail" is in blue. The roof lip construction was intended to lessen the impact of rain or snow showers on the front window. The tiny wagon provided little space for carriers to maneuver inside. Although that should have made it less appealing for carriers, the model sold very well. In addition to being smaller than most rural mail wagons, the Light Runner was also often less expensive to purchase. This was an important feature, as rural carriers then, as now, were responsible for purchasing their own vehicles. There is no indication on the postcard of the location of this route. National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection Photographer: Unknown Place: United States of America See more items in: National Postal Museum Collection Credit line: National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection Photographer: Unknown Persistent URL:http://www.arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=2&cmd=1&id=207617 Repository:National Postal Museum View more collections from the Smithsonian Institution. Date: 1912 Object number: A.2009-53 Medium: postcard stock; photo-emulsion Description: The unidentified rural letter carrier is driving a horse-drawn Harrington "Light Runner" mail wagon. Unlike most Rural Free Delivery (RFD) wagons, the Light Runner's door was located at the back of the vehicle, not on the side. The wagon was painted white, and the lettering on the side "RFD Route No. 8 / U.S. Mail" is in blue. The roof lip construction was intended to lessen the impact of rain or snow showers on the front window. The tiny wagon provided little space for carriers to maneuver inside. Although that should have made it less appealing for carriers, the model sold very well. In addition to being smaller than most rural mail wagons, the Light Runner was also often less expensive to purchase. This was an important feature, as rural carriers then, as now, were responsible for purchasing their own vehicles. There is no indication on the postcard of the location of this route. National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection Photographer: Unknown Place: United States of America See more items in: National Postal Museum Collection Credit line: National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection Photographer: Unknown Persistent URL:http://www.arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=2&cmd=1&id=207617 Repository:National Postal Museum View more collections from the Smithsonian Institution. | ||||
