Today’s episode of “History Today” takes us back to an astonishing event on February 19, 1914, when five-year-old Charlotte May Pierstorff embarked on a unique journey to visit her grandmother in Idaho. In an era before strict regulations, Charlotte’s parents opted for an unconventional mode of travel due to the high cost of train tickets. Weighing in at 48.5 pounds (22.0 kg), Charlotte was sent through the mail with a 32¢ stamp attached to her coat, equivalent to about $9 in today’s currency. This extraordinary story highlights not only the ingenuity of her family but also the flexibility of the postal system at the time. Charlotte’s safe delivery to her grandmother’s house by lunchtime is a testament to the dedication of postal workers and the trust placed in them by the public. However, this event also led to significant changes in postal regulations, marking the end of humans and live animals being sent through the mail. Join us as we highlight the impact of Charlotte May Pierstorff’s postal adventure.
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32 cents was a lot of money when it only cost two cents to mail a letter. Must've been the price for a package for that weight.