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.

Contents

A forwarding agent's cachet is "A strike or endorsement applied to a letter to indicate that it had been handled in transit by means other than the Postal Service." [1] Their markings are distinguished, and can be a collectible. [2]

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Prasad, Roshan (2023). The Stamp Chronicles: A Journey Through Philately. p. 63. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  2. ↑ Patrick, Douglas; Patrick, Mary (1962). The International Guide to Stamps and Stamp Collecting: Includes the Answers to 1200 Questions Most Often Asked about Stamps. p. 363. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

Further reading

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