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Quiz about History of Postal and Courier Services

History of Postal and Courier Services Quiz

A quiz on the history of worldwide postal and courier services.

A multiple-choice quiz by Filmfreak82. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Filmfreak82

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
341,029

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
298

Last 3 plays: Guest 71 (0/10), Guest 5 (1/10), Guest 31 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What country had the first documented courier service in 2400BC? Hint

Egypt

Greece

Macau

Persia

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Question 2 of 10

2. The world's first adhesive postage stamps were introduced in the UK in what year? Hint

1837

1842

1846

1840

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Question 3 of 10

3. The word 'mail' comes from which medieval english word that means 'travelling bag'? Hint

Maille

Male

Mailee

Mayle

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Question 4 of 10

4. What colour are Deutsche Post boxes in Germany? Hint

Orange

Blue

Purple

Yellow

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the name of the courier service in the USA that started in 1852 and was the predominant delivery service at the time? Hint

Stagecoach Express

FEDEX

UPS

Wells Fargo

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Question 6 of 10

6. UPS is the abbreviation for what company? Hint

United Postal Service

United Postal Sender

United Parcel Sender

United Parcel Service

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Question 7 of 10

7. Marcophily is the study of which area of postal history? Hint

Airmail

Postmarks

Express services

Maritime mail

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Question 8 of 10

8. Even though Royal Mail was founded in 1516, it was only made available to the public during the reign of which english monarch? Hint

King George III

King Edward VII

Queen Victoria

King Charles I

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Question 9 of 10

9. 'Mail Rail' was the name for the London Post Office Underground railway system. It opened in 1927, but when did it close? Hint

2005

1999

1997

2003

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is the name of the stamp that sold for a record $2.3 million dollars in 1996 and was sold again for a higher but undisclosed sum in 2010? Hint

Treskilling yellow

Australian one penny red

Penny black

George VI purple

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 09 2024 : Guest 71: 0/10
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 5: 1/10
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 31: 3/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 104: 5/10
Oct 27 2024 : Guest 92: 1/10
Oct 23 2024 : Guest 167: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What country had the first documented courier service in 2400BC?

Answer: Egypt

Pharaohs used couriers in Egypt for sending their written documents.

2. The world's first adhesive postage stamps were introduced in the UK in what year?

Answer: 1840

This was preceded by the introduction, on 10 January 1840, of uniform inland letter rates, which replaced the previous, cumbersome system of charging by distance as well as weight. The Penny Black was introduced in May 1840.

3. The word 'mail' comes from which medieval english word that means 'travelling bag'?

Answer: Male

It was often spelled 'male' until the 17th century but is etymologically unrelated to the word denoting a gender.

4. What colour are Deutsche Post boxes in Germany?

Answer: Yellow

Even the mail man's bicycles are yellow.

5. What was the name of the courier service in the USA that started in 1852 and was the predominant delivery service at the time?

Answer: Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo was later followed by Pony Express. FEDEX and UPS are the modern day USA postal services.

6. UPS is the abbreviation for what company?

Answer: United Parcel Service

The UPS name was adopted in 1919 but the company started in 1907 as the American Messenger Company. It was set up by two teenagers.

7. Marcophily is the study of which area of postal history?

Answer: Postmarks

It fully applies to postmarks, cancellations and postal markings.

8. Even though Royal Mail was founded in 1516, it was only made available to the public during the reign of which english monarch?

Answer: King Charles I

Charles I made the service public on 31st July 1635.

9. 'Mail Rail' was the name for the London Post Office Underground railway system. It opened in 1927, but when did it close?

Answer: 2003

It closed in 2003 because it was more expensive to run than using the roads above.

10. What is the name of the stamp that sold for a record $2.3 million dollars in 1996 and was sold again for a higher but undisclosed sum in 2010?

Answer: Treskilling yellow

It's extremely rare as the Swedish Treskilling is normally printed in a blue-green colour.

Source: Author Filmfreak82

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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