Royal Mail Coach

Royal Mail Coach, by Waude and Co., London, England, 1815-1830

Mail coaches were first introduced in 1784 by John Palmer of Bath, the mail having been previously carried by postboys on horseback. The Royal Mail coach exhibited, was built in 1827 and operated for many years over the famous London to York route. Four horses were used between various stages and such coaches, loaded with mail and carrying up to eight passengers, could average speeds up to 10 miles per hour.