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385 Years Ago today in Radio History: The Massachusetts General Court designated Fairbanks' Tavern on this date, November 6, 1639, as a post office for letters coming into or being sent out of the colony, a century before Franklin was appointed Post Master.

The Post Office and Mail Carriers in Old Time Radio

Although letter writing is giving way to email, the USPS was once one of the largest business concerns in the world.

Post Office

70 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 29 hours, 1079 min)
available in the following formats:

2 MP3 CDs
or
31 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from May 23, 1951:

"Dragnet: The Big Mailman"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Postman 1940sAs we enter the third decade of the Twenty-first Century, physical mail and letter writing seem to grow more and more irrelevant and old-fashioned. The amount of mail delivered has been declining since 2001 as more profitable and efficient package delivery services come online and personal correspondence turns to electronic and Internet-based transmission. However, the recent national election cycle demonstrated the importance of maintaining and supporting the infrastructure of the United States Postal Service.

In ancient times, sharing information between separate locations required telling the message to someone who would travel to whomever the message was for and tell them the information. If the information was in any way sensitive or secret, the problems of this system are obvious, not to mention the inevitable inaccuracy of depending on the messenger to correctly remember the message.

Several of the problems of this system would be corrected when writing was developed. Carrying a written message was much more accurate and secure. Several ancient dynasties created message carrying systems that were precursors to the modern postal structure. The rise of literacy and the mercantile class led to wider use of these nascent postal systems.

King Charles of England established the Royal Mail in 1660, and around 1840 the Universal Penny Post was adopted. The Penny Post was a government monopoly that introduced preprinted envelopes and self-adhesive stamps. The system allowed for anyone in the Kingdom to send a message to anyone else for a low rate with a better-than-reasonable expectation that the letter would arrive. Postal rates to the Colonies was several times more expensive, but still relatively low.

Benjamin Franklin became deputy postmaster general in the American Colonies in 1753 and he instituted many beneficial reforms to the service, including regularly scheduled delivery and establishment of Post Roads. When Franklin's anti-Crown sympathies became too egregious he was fired by the British but appointed by the Second Continental Congress as the first PostMaster General of the United States in 1775.

Mailing Infant Through MailMost postal innovations have been towards making letter collection, distribution, and delivery more efficient and secure. The USPS added parcel post services in 1913. It was not unheard of for parents in the American West to attach stamps to the clothing of young children so that the Postal Service would deliver the children to relatives. Supposedly, the rare practice was officially banned in 1915 when the Postmaster General received a letter of inquiry about how best to wrap an infant in a package.

For several decades, the US Postal Service was one of the largest businesses in the world. Electronic messaging (Email) has largely supplanted letter writing and in the age of E-Commerce, most parcel deliveries are by commercial carriers. However, the US Postal Service is one of the few government agencies specifically mentioned in the Constitution and its continued operation is vital for National Security

  • Fibber McGee and Molly, December 10, 1940. The Master and Mistress of 79 Wistful Vista are on their way to mail their Christmas gift to beat the rush. Of course, it is difficult to get out the front door with so many friends knocking on it but the real adventure begins when they finally reach the Federal Outpost.
  • The Lucky Strike Program Starring Jack Benny, March 30, 1947. Jack and the Gang are in San Francisco where Mr. Benny is approached by a frustrated postal worker (played by Mel Blanc). It seems that the San Francisco Post Office is overflowing with letters stating "I can't stand Jack Benny!".
  • Dragnet, May 24, 1951, "The Big Mailman''. A mail thief has moved his operations to Los Angeles from San Diego. The crook gets a key to a group mailbox and makes off with checks.  The rightful payees often do not realize that the checks are missing until later, but now Sergeant Friday is on the job.
  • The Silent Men, May 14, 1952, "The Miracle Cure for Cancer". Mr. Fairbanks plays a Postal Inspector who is chasing down a fraud case of the worst kind, the crooks prey on the hopes of terminal cancer patients.

See also: Airmail Mysteries

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    70 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00. Total playtime 29 hours, 1079 min
    70 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00
    total playtime 29 hours, 1079 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 53 shows – total playtime 23 hours, 29 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Burns Allen 411216 11 Mailing Christmas Package.mp3
    3. Burns Allen 430629 39 Amnesia.mp3
    4. Burns Allen 460530 Ben Gage.mp3
    5. Burns Allen 461107 10 Getting Frank Sinatra To Leave Town.mp3
    6. Burns Allen 470306 27 Gracie Takes Up Crime Solving.mp3
    7. Cavalcade Of America 351016 Conquered Distance.mp3
    8. Cbs World News Today 431219 AmTroops Captured San Pietro.mp3
    9. Cbs World News Today 440220 American Planes Have Carried Out.mp3
    10. Challenge Of Yukon 470102 False Beard.mp3
    11. Challenge Of Yukon 481122 Mutiny On Penguin.mp3
    12. Challenge Of Yukon 490513 Skagway Mail.mp3
    13. Chase 530308 Special Delivery.mp3
    14. Cisco Kid 521125 037 Murder At Cactus Vista.mp3
    15. Cisco Kid 550419 287 Stagecoach Race At Skeleton Bend.mp3
    16. Cisco Kid 570402 494 Butterfield Overland Mail.mp3
    17. Counterspy 490920 Postal Pirates Pt1.mp3
    18. Counterspy 490922 Postal Pirates Pt2.mp3
    19. Dennis Day 480121 060 Dennis Tries Get Job Post Office.mp3
    20. Dragnet 510524 Big Mailman.mp3
    21. Dragnet 520515 Big Mail.mp3
    22. Fat Man Murder By Mail.mp3
    23. Fibber Mcgee Molly 401210 0265 Mailing Christmas Packages.mp3
    24. Fibber Mcgee Molly 470304 0506 Bad Mail Service.mp3
    25. Fibber Mcgee Molly 500221 0613 Dog Bites Mailman.mp3
    26. Fibber Mcgee Molly 501219 0640 Mcgee Postman.mp3
    27. Fibber Mcgee Molly 531006 0742 Letter To Postmaster.mp3
    28. Fibber Mcgee Molly 540726 0950 179th Anniv Us Post Office.mp3
    29. Fred Allen Fred Allen Show 460428 068 Racing Form Trial.mp3
    30. Ft 520618 275 Special Delivery Schultz.mp3
    31. Gang Busters 480327 522 Case Of Cumberland Safecracker.mp3
    32. Green Valley Line 340000 03 Mail Contract.mp3
    33. Hello Sucker 520301 09 Spare Time Sucker.com.mp3
    34. Hollywood Sound Stage 520124 07 Postman Always Rings Twice.mp3
    35. Hop Harrigan 480112 1376 Secret Of Lakeville Bell 17.mp3
    36. I Love Adventure 480502 02 Great Airmail Robbery.mp3
    37. Jack Benny Program 470330 615 From San Francisco.mp3
    38. Jack Paar Show 470928 18 Hair Tonics Schools Mail Delivery.mp3
    39. Lest We Forget American Dream 470000 02 Blow That Whistle.mp3
    40. Lone Ranger 390104 0927 Lafe Custers Cattle.mp3
    41. Lux Radio Theater 390529 221 Only Angels Have Wings.mp3
    42. Magic Key 370516 084 10th Anniversary Of Lindberghs Flight.mp3
    43. Mail Call 440426 088 W Ed Gardner.mp3
    44. Mandrake Magician 410409 065 Slade Has Red Book.mp3
    45. Mel Blanc Show 461015 07 Postmans Ball.mp3
    46. Movietown Radio Theater 480000 Major Engagement.mp3
    47. Mr Mrs North 541004 Nightwalk Part 1.mp3
    48. My Favorite Husband 491118 063 Katy Mr Negley.mp3
    49. Night Editor 22 Care Of Postmistress Clara.mp3
    50. One Mans Family 570408 B126c16 Certified Mail For Barbour.mp3
    51. Our Miss Brooks 511104 Connie Tries To Forget Boynton.mp3
    52. Quiz Kids 501022 541 First Landing Across Atlantic.mp3
    53. Red Skelton Show 510114 Three Cent Stamp.mp3
    54. Rocky Fortune 540209 Catskills Cover Up.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 17 shows – total playtime 5 hours, 48 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Romance 540904 341 Postmistress Of Laurel Run.mp3
    3. Silent Men 511104 04 Death In Mail.mp3
    4. Silent Men 520514 29 Miracle Cure.mp3
    5. Skyblazers 400629 30 Jack Knight Pioneer Airmail Carrier.mp3
    6. Suspense 560417 Seventh Letter.mp3
    7. Theater Five 650421 Wonderful Stamps From El Dorado.mp3
    8. True Adv Junior G Men 360911 Mail Planes Forced Landing.mp3
    9. True Or False 380912 Postal Clerks Vs League Of Women Voters.mp3
    10. Un Story 560000 Stamp Of Approval.mp3
    11. United States Postal Inspector 470226 Audition.mp3
    12. Vic Sade 401119 Man Caught In Revolving Door.mp3
    13. War Telescope 431002 Ten Shopping Days Til Christmas.mp3
    14. YTJD 561001 489 Picture Postcard Episode 01.mp3
    15. YTJD 561002 490 Picture Postcard Episode 02.mp3
    16. YTJD 561003 491 Picture Postcard Episode 03.mp3
    17. YTJD 561004 492 Picture Postcard Episode 04.mp3
    18. YTJD 561005 493 Picture Postcard Episode 05.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    70 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00. Total playtime 29 hours, 1079 min
    70 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00
    805 MB – total playtime 29 hours, 17 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 53 shows – 645 MB – total playtime 23 hours, 29 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Burns Allen 411216 11 Mailing Christmas Package.mp3
    3. Burns Allen 430629 39 Amnesia.mp3
    4. Burns Allen 460530 Ben Gage.mp3
    5. Burns Allen 461107 10 Getting Frank Sinatra To Leave Town.mp3
    6. Burns Allen 470306 27 Gracie Takes Up Crime Solving.mp3
    7. Cavalcade Of America 351016 Conquered Distance.mp3
    8. Cbs World News Today 431219 AmTroops Captured San Pietro.mp3
    9. Cbs World News Today 440220 American Planes Have Carried Out.mp3
    10. Challenge Of Yukon 470102 False Beard.mp3
    11. Challenge Of Yukon 481122 Mutiny On Penguin.mp3
    12. Challenge Of Yukon 490513 Skagway Mail.mp3
    13. Chase 530308 Special Delivery.mp3
    14. Cisco Kid 521125 037 Murder At Cactus Vista.mp3
    15. Cisco Kid 550419 287 Stagecoach Race At Skeleton Bend.mp3
    16. Cisco Kid 570402 494 Butterfield Overland Mail.mp3
    17. Counterspy 490920 Postal Pirates Pt1.mp3
    18. Counterspy 490922 Postal Pirates Pt2.mp3
    19. Dennis Day 480121 060 Dennis Tries Get Job Post Office.mp3
    20. Dragnet 510524 Big Mailman.mp3
    21. Dragnet 520515 Big Mail.mp3
    22. Fat Man Murder By Mail.mp3
    23. Fibber Mcgee Molly 401210 0265 Mailing Christmas Packages.mp3
    24. Fibber Mcgee Molly 470304 0506 Bad Mail Service.mp3
    25. Fibber Mcgee Molly 500221 0613 Dog Bites Mailman.mp3
    26. Fibber Mcgee Molly 501219 0640 Mcgee Postman.mp3
    27. Fibber Mcgee Molly 531006 0742 Letter To Postmaster.mp3
    28. Fibber Mcgee Molly 540726 0950 179th Anniv Us Post Office.mp3
    29. Fred Allen Fred Allen Show 460428 068 Racing Form Trial.mp3
    30. Ft 520618 275 Special Delivery Schultz.mp3
    31. Gang Busters 480327 522 Case Of Cumberland Safecracker.mp3
    32. Green Valley Line 340000 03 Mail Contract.mp3
    33. Hello Sucker 520301 09 Spare Time Sucker.com.mp3
    34. Hollywood Sound Stage 520124 07 Postman Always Rings Twice.mp3
    35. Hop Harrigan 480112 1376 Secret Of Lakeville Bell 17.mp3
    36. I Love Adventure 480502 02 Great Airmail Robbery.mp3
    37. Jack Benny Program 470330 615 From San Francisco.mp3
    38. Jack Paar Show 470928 18 Hair Tonics Schools Mail Delivery.mp3
    39. Lest We Forget American Dream 470000 02 Blow That Whistle.mp3
    40. Lone Ranger 390104 0927 Lafe Custers Cattle.mp3
    41. Lux Radio Theater 390529 221 Only Angels Have Wings.mp3
    42. Magic Key 370516 084 10th Anniversary Of Lindberghs Flight.mp3
    43. Mail Call 440426 088 W Ed Gardner.mp3
    44. Mandrake Magician 410409 065 Slade Has Red Book.mp3
    45. Mel Blanc Show 461015 07 Postmans Ball.mp3
    46. Movietown Radio Theater 480000 Major Engagement.mp3
    47. Mr Mrs North 541004 Nightwalk Part 1.mp3
    48. My Favorite Husband 491118 063 Katy Mr Negley.mp3
    49. Night Editor 22 Care Of Postmistress Clara.mp3
    50. One Mans Family 570408 B126c16 Certified Mail For Barbour.mp3
    51. Our Miss Brooks 511104 Connie Tries To Forget Boynton.mp3
    52. Quiz Kids 501022 541 First Landing Across Atlantic.mp3
    53. Red Skelton Show 510114 Three Cent Stamp.mp3
    54. Rocky Fortune 540209 Catskills Cover Up.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 17 shows – 160 MB – total playtime 5 hours, 48 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Romance 540904 341 Postmistress Of Laurel Run.mp3
    3. Silent Men 511104 04 Death In Mail.mp3
    4. Silent Men 520514 29 Miracle Cure.mp3
    5. Skyblazers 400629 30 Jack Knight Pioneer Airmail Carrier.mp3
    6. Suspense 560417 Seventh Letter.mp3
    7. Theater Five 650421 Wonderful Stamps From El Dorado.mp3
    8. True Adv Junior G Men 360911 Mail Planes Forced Landing.mp3
    9. True Or False 380912 Postal Clerks Vs League Of Women Voters.mp3
    10. Un Story 560000 Stamp Of Approval.mp3
    11. United States Postal Inspector 470226 Audition.mp3
    12. Vic Sade 401119 Man Caught In Revolving Door.mp3
    13. War Telescope 431002 Ten Shopping Days Til Christmas.mp3
    14. YTJD 561001 489 Picture Postcard Episode 01.mp3
    15. YTJD 561002 490 Picture Postcard Episode 02.mp3
    16. YTJD 561003 491 Picture Postcard Episode 03.mp3
    17. YTJD 561004 492 Picture Postcard Episode 04.mp3
    18. YTJD 561005 493 Picture Postcard Episode 05.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    70 recordings on 31 Audio CDs. Total playtime 29 hours, 17 min
    70 recordings on 31 Audio CDs
    total playtime 29 hours, 17 min

    Post Office Disc A001

    1. Fat Man Murder By Mail
    2. Night Editor 22 Care Of Postmistress Clara
    3. Green Valley Line 340000 03 Mail Contract

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A002

    1. Cavalcade Of America 351016 Conquered Distance
    2. True Adv Junior G Men 360911 Mail Planes Forced Landing

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A003

    1. Magic Key 370516 084 10th Anniversary Of Lindberghs Flight

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A004

    1. True Or False 380912 Postal Clerks Vs League Of Women Voters
    2. Lone Ranger 390104 0927 Lafe Custers Cattle

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A005

    1. Lux Radio Theater 390529 221 Only Angels Have Wings

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A006

    1. Skyblazers 400629 30 Jack Knight Pioneer Airmail Carrier
    2. Vic Sade 401119 Man Caught In Revolving Door

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A007

    1. Fibber Mcgee Molly 401210 0265 Mailing Christmas Packages
    2. Mandrake Magician 410409 065 Slade Has Red Book
    3. Burns Allen 411216 11 Mailing Christmas Package

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A008

    1. Burns Allen 430629 39 Amnesia
    2. War Telescope 431002 Ten Shopping Days Til Christmas
    3. Cbs World News Today 431219 AmTroops Captured San Pietro

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A009

    1. Cbs World News Today 440220 American Planes Have Carried Out
    2. Mail Call 440426 088 W Ed Gardner

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A010

    1. Fred Allen Fred Allen Show 460428 068 Racing Form Trial
    2. Burns Allen 460530 Ben Gage

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A011

    1. Mel Blanc Show 461015 07 Postmans Ball
    2. Burns Allen 461107 10 Getting Frank Sinatra To Leave Town
    3. Lest We Forget American Dream 470000 02 Blow That Whistle

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A012

    1. Challenge Of Yukon 470102 False Beard
    2. United States Postal Inspector 470226 Audition

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A013

    1. Fibber Mcgee Molly 470304 0506 Bad Mail Service
    2. Burns Allen 470306 27 Gracie Takes Up Crime Solving

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A014

    1. Jack Benny Program 470330 615 From San Francisco
    2. Jack Paar Show 470928 18 Hair Tonics Schools Mail Delivery

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A015

    1. Movietown Radio Theater 480000 Major Engagement
    2. Hop Harrigan 480112 1376 Secret Of Lakeville Bell 17

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A016

    1. Dennis Day 480121 060 Dennis Tries Get Job Post Office
    2. Gang Busters 480327 522 Case Of Cumberland Safecracker

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A017

    1. I Love Adventure 480502 02 Great Airmail Robbery
    2. Challenge Of Yukon 481122 Mutiny On Penguin

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A018

    1. Challenge Of Yukon 490513 Skagway Mail
    2. Counterspy 490920 Postal Pirates Pt1

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A019

    1. Counterspy 490922 Postal Pirates Pt2
    2. My Favorite Husband 491118 063 Katy Mr Negley

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A020

    1. Fibber Mcgee Molly 500221 0613 Dog Bites Mailman
    2. Quiz Kids 501022 541 First Landing Across Atlantic

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A021

    1. Fibber Mcgee Molly 501219 0640 Mcgee Postman
    2. Red Skelton Show 510114 Three Cent Stamp

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A022

    1. Dragnet 510524 Big Mailman
    2. Our Miss Brooks 511104 Connie Tries To Forget Boynton

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A023

    1. Silent Men 511104 04 Death In Mail
    2. Hollywood Sound Stage 520124 07 Postman Always Rings Twice

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A024

    1. Hello Sucker 520301 09 Spare Time Sucker.com
    2. Silent Men 520514 29 Miracle Cure

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A025

    1. Dragnet 520515 Big Mail
    2. Ft 520618 275 Special Delivery Schultz

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A026

    1. Cisco Kid 521125 037 Murder At Cactus Vista
    2. Chase 530308 Special Delivery

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A027

    1. Fibber Mcgee Molly 531006 0742 Letter To Postmaster
    2. Rocky Fortune 540209 Catskills Cover Up
    3. Fibber Mcgee Molly 540726 0950 179th Anniv Us Post Office

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A028

    1. Romance 540904 341 Postmistress Of Laurel Run
    2. Mr Mrs North 541004 Nightwalk Part 1
    3. Cisco Kid 550419 287 Stagecoach Race At Skeleton Bend

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A029

    1. Un Story 560000 Stamp Of Approval
    2. Suspense 560417 Seventh Letter
    3. YTJD 561001 489 Picture Postcard Episode 01

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A030

    1. YTJD 561002 490 Picture Postcard Episode 02
    2. YTJD 561003 491 Picture Postcard Episode 03
    3. YTJD 561004 492 Picture Postcard Episode 04
    4. YTJD 561005 493 Picture Postcard Episode 05

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Post Office Disc A031

    1. Cisco Kid 570402 494 Butterfield Overland Mail
    2. One Mans Family 570408 B126c16 Certified Mail For Barbour
    3. Theater Five 650421 Wonderful Stamps From El Dorado

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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