Antique Railway Express Agency Shipping Strongbox c.1930s
ABOUT
An antique galvanized steel shipping strongbox with crisscross lock, handle, heavy reinforced corners and several original dated shipping labels.
- CREATOR Railway Express Agency Inc.
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DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1930s.
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MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Galvanized Steel.
- CONDITION Distressed. Wear consistent with age and use. Structurally sound.
- DIMENSIONS H 11 in. W 12 in. D 5 in.
HISTORY
The Railway Express Agency (REA), founded as the American Railway Express Agency and later renamed the American Railway Express Inc., was a national package delivery service that operated in the United States from 1918 to 1975. REA arranged transport and delivery via existing railroad infrastructure, much as today's UPS or DHL companies use roads and air transport. It was created through the forced consolidation of existing services into a national near-monopoly to ensure the rapid and safe movement of parcels, money, and goods during World War l.
REA ceased operations in 1975, when its business model ceased to be viable.
