There are few joys in life quite so sweet asreceiving an unexpected parcel in the post. This is largelydown to the fact that most of us only receive parcels we order ourselves, but that’s by the by.

Some of the most interesting items ever to be delivered would today be considered violations of almost every regulation you can think of. But then,in the early days of the postal service things were new, exciting and not quite so clear cut. 

In fact, all the rules that we take for granted today hadn’t even been conceived in the early days of the postal service. Most are onlywith us today because people didn't think too carefully about the potential consequences of posting – let’s amid it – pretty bizarre items.

Seafood

One interesting early package was mailed at the New York City post office and addressed to a destination in Philadelphia. After causing a bit of concern (and a lot of a stink), it was found to contain a live lobster and handful of live shrimp.

Canine capers

The Yonkers, New York, post office was the sorting office for a small crate which contained a terrified bulldog and must rate as one the oddest, and loudest, parcels ever packaged.

Children

However, a dog in a box pales into insignificance next to the idea of sending childrenin the post.

May Pierstorff was a five-year-old girl who was mailed between two towns in Idaho in 1914. The weight limit at the time was 50 pounds and being under this (presumably including packaging) the little girl cost her parents 53 cents to send from their home in Grangeville to her grandparents in Lewiston.

May’s story led to an inquiry about mailing children that found she wasn't an isolated case, and caused US Postmaster General Burleson to issue directions to the nation’s postmasters stating that all human beings were barred from being sent by mail from then on.

Pranks

Today there are plenty of things that are not illegal or restricted but might still raise an eyebrow if they were sent by mail.

A badly worn car tyre with postage strapped on it was rejected by the postal clerk while a transparent plastic box containing sand was delivered, although it had obviously been opened and then securely taped shut again, most likely to check that nothing was hidden inside.

 

Images credit: Reddit.com