Register Now

Since Baltimore is a port, there is early incoming ship mail dating back to the late 1700s; however, outgoing mail largely went via New York and then Boston when the Cunard line was established.

Baltimore participated in the Freight Money system, which provided for prepayments of the sea postage to the New York postmaster to “expedite” the mail. Letters sent during the Retaliatory period and later the restored rate period will be shown, leading up to the establishment of the 1848 Treaty with England.

Examples of mail sent under many of the major treaties will be discussed, with some less usual destinations.

Register Now