In 1913, the United States Postal Service allowed parcel mail service, leading to people occasionally mailing babies. The first shipment was a 10-pound baby insured for $50 USD. The Postmaster General later banned mailing people in 1914.
When the United States Postal Service began parcel mail service in 1913, people began mailing all kinds of things, including, occasionally, babies. According to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, the first shipment of a baby occurred in 1913 when Mr and Mrs Jesse Beauge of Glen Este, Ohio, “mailed” their 10-pound (4.5 kg) baby to his grandmother’s home. The mile-long Special Delivery cost them 15 cents in shipping, though they also insured their son for $50 USD.
Precious Cargo:
These human parcels weren’t actually put into boxes. BaBeauge, for example, was physically taken to its destination by Rural Free Delivery courier Vernon Little.
Some children have been shipped considerably greater distances. Edna Neff of Pensacola, Florida, was 6 years old when she was sent by rail mail to her father’s home in Christiansburg, Virginia, approximately 720 miles (1,158.7 km) away. The package weight was recorded as slightly under the 50 lb (22.7 kg) limit.
In 1914, the Postmaster General instituted a new rule that has remained in effect to this day: people cannot be mailed by the United States Postal Service.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
