Forwarding agent (philately)
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A forwarding agent was an intermediary who facilitated the routing of international mail before the development of the modern postal system.
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[edit] History
In the early days of postal communications it was often necessary for international mail to pass through a number of hands before reaching its eventual destination. At each stage the agent would add their own mark. For instance, a letter might pass first through the sender's domestic post office's hands, then to a forwarder for a sea journey and then to the post office of the destination country.
The study of the marks of forwarding agents on mail is a popular branch of postal history.
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Rowe, Kenneth. The Postal History and Markings of The Forwarding Agents. (1st edition 1966, supplement 1974, 2nd ed. 1984, 3rd ed. 1996. ISBN 0917528123)
