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Edinburgh-London Royal Mail. Artist: D Dally
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Edinburgh-London Royal Mail. Artist: D Dally
Edinburgh-London Royal Mail. The improvement in the road network in the mid 18th century led to the introduction of the mail coach in 1784, providing a combined passenger and mail delivery service. Mail coaches bore a distinctive livery of maroon doors and lower panels, black upper panels and Post Office red wheels. The names of the towns at either end of the journey were painted on the doors. Mail was stowed both in the foreboot beneath the coachmans feet, and in the rear compartment. The coach carried four passengers inside, and four more on top behind the driver. Fares were paid to innkeepers at coaching inns along the route. As well as the driver, mail coaches carried an armed Mail Guard employed by the Post Office to protect the mail from highwaymen
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Media ID 14843573
© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images
Cloudy Coach Coachman Mail Mail Coach Passenger Passengers Post Royal Mail Stagecoach Ann Ronan Pictures Dally Horse Drawn Vehicle Postal Service
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Edinburgh-London Royal Mail" by D. Dally showcases the remarkable transformation of road networks in the mid-18th century, which paved the way for the introduction of mail coaches in 1784. Serving as a dual-purpose vehicle for both passengers and mail delivery, these coaches boasted a distinctive livery featuring maroon doors and lower panels, black upper panels, and Post Office red wheels. The names of towns at either end of the journey were elegantly painted on the doors. In this artwork, we witness an exquisite horse-drawn stagecoach braving through uncertain weather conditions under cloudy skies. The coachman skillfully maneuvers his team of horses along the rugged terrain while ensuring that precious cargo remains secure within compartments located beneath his feet and at the rear. Aboard this magnificent coach are four passengers inside and four more perched atop behind the driver's seat. Fares were paid to innkeepers stationed at coaching inns scattered along their route, adding an element of adventure to each journey. To safeguard against potential threats from highwaymen seeking to intercept valuable mail parcels, armed Mail Guards employed by the Post Office accompanied every mail coach. Dally's masterful oil painting beautifully captures not only a significant mode of transportation during this era but also offers us a glimpse into daily life where men and women relied on such services for communication and travel across vast distances.
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