Letter Carrier O. J. Murphy on a Bicycle, circa 1905
Add to SetSummary
In 1902, the U.S. adopted Rural Free Delivery. Americans in the countryside would no longer need to go to town to get their mail -- the mail would be brought to them. Rural letter carrier Orville J. Murphy, pictured here, used a bike to deliver mail to outlying households around New London, Iowa.
In 1902, the U.S. adopted Rural Free Delivery. Americans in the countryside would no longer need to go to town to get their mail -- the mail would be brought to them. Rural letter carrier Orville J. Murphy, pictured here, used a bike to deliver mail to outlying households around New London, Iowa.
Artifact
Cabinet photograph
Subject Date
1901
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
86.18.43.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Mounting
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 7.75 in
Width: 5.75 in
Inscriptions
Imprint on front: DYALL'S STUDIO / 121 N. MAIN ST. / MT PLEASANT, IA. Handwritten in ink on back: O.J. Murphy / New London, Ia. / Rural Carrier No. 1. / Time 2:13 in 26 miles / [scratched out] July 4, 1901 Handwritten in pencil on back: From / Gordon L Elliot[?] / Des Moines / Iowa / 1126 Sixth Ave
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