The Overland Mail

A postal historical study of the mail route to India

John Sidebottom

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2026
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781040849286
• Subtopic: 19th Century History
• Index: History

Thomas Fletcher Waghorn was the pioneer of the Overland Mail Route to India via Cairo and Suez. Sea and air mail routes are to this day, evidence of Waghorn's forgotten courage and perseverance during the 19th century. Originally published in 1948, from letters and General Post Office records, this volume is amply illustrated and supplemented with maps, geographical and technical route data, government Acts, agent details, fares and postage rates, transit times, quarantine regulations and facsimiles of cachets (a distinguishing mark, or seal historically used in postal services). This book is a detailed and fascinating history of the overland mail route to India via Suez and will be of interest to those interested in the history of communications, as well as economic, political and diplomatic history.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Frontmatter
• Original Title Page
• Original Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• I. Mails to India via the Cape
• II. Steam Navigation
• III. Early History of the Routes via Persia and Egypt
• IV. Thomas Fletcher Waghorn, Lieut. R.N.
• V. Waghorn and the General Post Office
• VI. Waghorn’s Trial Journey by the Overland Route
• VII. Waghorn Resigns from the Bengal Pilot Service
• VIII. The Home Government is Converted to ”Steam„
• IX. The Mail Packet Service Extended to Alexandria
• X. Waghorn sets up his Overland Agency
• XI. The Desert Route
• XII. The P. and O. Company Appear on the Scene
• XIII. Overland to India via France and Austria
• XIV. The French Overland Route
• XV. Waghorn’s European Agency
• XVI. The Austrian Overland Route
• XVII. Waghorn’s Financial Difficulties and Death
• XVIII. Conclusion
• Appendices
• Bibliography
• Index