Images(12)

Bag, Mail Carrier's

Object number2017.91.42 a-h

Manufacturer Eberhard Faber

Manufacturer Cokesbury

Date1960-1987

MediumLeather; Metal; Paper; Ink; Rubber; Plastic; Adhesive; Lead; Wood

Credit LineIn memory of Harry "Bus" Means

DescriptionMail carrier's postal supply kit with contents. Black leather accordion-style bag with seven internal pockets. Brown stitching on bag and tooled brown border on front flap. Metal snap closure on front flap. Contents include United States Postal Service forms, other official forms, first aid supplies, writing materials, informational pamphlets, envelopes, stamps, coins, and Harry Means employment documents and personal documents and effects.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a-h): 5.125 x 11.5 x 4.5 in. (13 x 29.2 x 11.4 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (a): 5.25 x 11.375 x 3.75 in. (13.3 x 28.9 x 9.5 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Viewer's left sticker on front of bag has black printed text "D124B / HARRY E MEANS / ...PA 16156".

Viewer's right sticker on front of bag has black printed text "...PAO36 / HARRY E MEANS / RR3 / VOLANT PA 1..."

(b-h)
Numerous documents with printed and/or handwritten text.
Historical NotesRural mail carrier pouch used by Harry Means when he was a rural postal carrier from the 1960s to his retirement in 1987. Each rural carrier carried a pouch like this with stamps, certified mail items, etc., everything that was needed to sell to customers in the field. Part of a collection related to Harry "Bus" Means. This extensive collection of military uniforms and equipment relates to the life and career of U.S. Marines Corps chief flight mechanic Sergeant Harry “Bus” Means of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Means served with multiple units during WWII and immediately afterwards, including the “Bombing Banshees” VMSB-244 flight squadron that participated in the occupation of China and the Philippines. Means served through 1946, then returned to service during the Korean War, so his story represents the Cold War history of those whose military participation did not end with the official surrender of the Japanese in WWII. The collection contains artifacts representing the post-War occupation of China and the Pacific Islands, and also reminders of the regional tensions that led to conflict again in Southeast Asia within ten years. The collection also includes more general materials from Mean’s childhood in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and his civilian occupations, such as his role as a USPS mail carrier.

Previous owner Sergeant Harry E. Means

Related institution United States Marine Corps

Related institution Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 244

Related institution United States Postal Service

Related institution Pennzoil

Related person George Wythe (1726 - 1806)

Related institution College Fields MRI

Related person Gerre Heberling

Subjects