Lokal- og distriktforsendelser i provinsen i 1800-tallet (Local and District Mail in the Provinces in the 1800s) by Kurt Hansen and Ole Maintz. 6¾ by 9½ inches, 144 pages, hard bound, Kjøbenhavns Philatelistklub, Copenhagen 2004. ISBN 87-983015-7-8, 285 DKr (approximately $50) from KPK, Box 3, 1001 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Drawing on archives the co-authors bring together information from a variety of sources, enabling collectors to understand the handling of local and regional mail in Denmark during the 19th century. Some of the subjects treated include various classes of service (such as registered, parcels, money orders), manuscript markings, parish mail, barge mail, pouch or bag mail and official mail. Other topics are letter collection offices and postage to and from them, exchange offices, and the village postmen.

Several appendices reproduce postal circulars of the time reflecting changing regulations. The text is wonderfully illustrated with color copies of pertinent mail. A brief bibliography is presented but no index. Definitely of interest to the student of Danish postal history in the 19th century.

Alan Warren