Surprising and Strange Mail Items in the U.S. Postal Service - An SEO-Optimized Guide
From bizarre and cursed rocks to intriguing antitank weaponry, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has seen a wide array of odd mail items. This post explores some of the most surprising and peculiar shipments that have passed through the postal system.
Unusual and Quirky Mail Items
Mail in the U.S. is not just about letters and bills. It has been known to contain everything from exotic coconuts with postage and address tags to unexpected firearms. For example, there was a case where a coconut with address and postage was sent from Hawaii to a police station in St. Ann concerning a murder. Another notable item was a plastic wrapped hand gun, which was sent to the St. Ann police department, indicating that the sender had information about a crime.
Mail services often see a variety of items being transported across the country in boxes, often with unexpected contents. One such instance involved a broken piggy bank that was shipped cross-country, causing a mess with leaking change. Moreover, there is the story of a package containing WWII weaponry, which was destined for collectors who were interested in such historical artifacts.
Another intriguing example is a shipment that arrived unexpectedly. A queen-sized bed, along with snakes, got out of the shipping crate. There was also a package containing a biro-tagged bike, wrapped in brown paper, and a collection of hula hoops. Among the summer shipments were luau souvenirs, ranging from flippers to small beach balls, all wrapped in flip-flops.
More Bizarre Mail Deliveries
Some deliveries have a more macabre or gruesome twist. One December, a package arrived that contained bleeding and stinking venison, which had a potentially dangerous twist. Additionally, it included a plastic wrapped vat of cooked greens that had transformed into a swamp monster. The combination of the stench and the perilous situation necessitated the involvement of postal inspectors.
In another bizarre incident, used underwear was sent as a romantic gesture between two individuals. This unique and potentially awkward parcel was handled with the utmost care, as it was the only time the USPS was authorized to dispose of potentially first-class mail based on the addressee's wishes and the involvement of postal inspectors.
Haunting Tales from Hawaii Post Office
In the midst of all these strange items, there's a particularly haunting tale from the Hawaii post office. Local lore suggests that rocks are cursed if removed from the islands. Mailing the rocks back is considered a way to break the curse. According to the myth, if someone takes a rock as a souvenir, they will face a series of misfortunes until they send the rock back to its place of origin.
One memorable story involves a tourist who, after a vacation, brought rocks back home. Soon after, they experienced a series of unfortunate events that culminated in their decision to return the rocks to Hawaii. Local sources confirm that this tale has been verified and is a true account.
Conclusion
The U.S. Postal Service is a silent witness to countless strange and quirky items that people decide to send through the mail. From erupting beds to cursed rocks, these mail items form a fascinating part of postal history. The stories behind them provide a glimpse into the diverse and sometimes peculiar nature of human expression and behavior.