History By Mail Review August 2024

For history buffs, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of discovering a hidden gem from the past. History by Mail delivers this excitement straight to your doorstep with its monthly subscription of historical document replicas. Imagine holding a piece of history in your hands each month, from WWII or the Civil War. This unique subscription is a treasure trove for anyone passionate about the world around them.

They kindly sent us this mailing for review.

History By Mail Subscription Details

History By Mail is a monthly subscription service for replicas of historical letters and documents. Each letter comes with a separate document explaining the context of the letter including its author, recipient, and relevance to the events of its time, as well as a transcript when necessary.

History By Mail makes an excellent gift for history buffs of all shapes and sizes.  Subscribers will receive one letter per month for 6 months! This subscription is available worldwide.

History by Mail Coupon Code: Use code AYEAROFBOXES for 10% off your subscription!

Unboxing 6 Months of History

The team at History by Mail sent us 6 months of their subscription for this review.  Generally, each month, you’d receive one historical replica letter or document along with a separate document explaining the context of the letter or the document you received.  I love the simplicity of History by Mail and how it makes receiving mail so exciting!

Each piece arrived sealed in a very official envelope. Opening each one felt like unwrapping a little piece of history. I couldn’t wait to see what treasures lay inside. The anticipation was real, and I found myself getting more and more excited with each new document. It was like being a time traveler, discovering something new about the past with every unfurled page.

Each envelope includes the historical replica as well as information detailing the piece and the times and events surrounding it. So you’re learning as you go. For replicas that are hard to read, History by Mail also includes a transcription. It’s very cool.

Here’s a closer look at the first 6 months of history we received from History by Mail…

Emancipation Proclamation: We’re starting things off with the first piece of the Civil War Series. This is a replica of the Telegram announcing the start of the Civil War after the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 18, 1861.  The telegram was sent from Union Commander Major Robert Anderson to the Secretary of War Simon Cameron from the Steamship Baltic after the first battle of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. It’s basically the telegram that broke the news that the war had begun. I’ve never seen a Telegram before, but I thought this was really neat to inspect.

Emancipation Proclamation: This is the second piece in the Civil War series. It’s a replica of the actual Emancipation Proclamation which was an executive order issued by President Lincoln effective January 1, 1863. It was declaring that “all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” Such a monumental piece of history to hold.

Telegram from General Sherman to President Lincoln: This is the third piece in the Civil War series, this is a telegram sent from Union General William Sherman to President Lincoln on December 22, 1864. In it, Sherman announces the surrender of Savannah GA as a Christmas gift to the President. Because the penmanship can be challenging to read, History by Mail also included a transcription of the letter.

Terms of Confederate Surrender at Appomattox Court House: This was the fourth and final piece in the Civil War series and is an article of the surrender of Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army, dated April 10, 1865.  It includes a replica of the letter signed by the commissioners appointed by each general and outlines details about how the surrender was to take place. There is also a transcription of the letter as their penmanship, while beautiful, can be hard to read. I thought it was really cool to see all the different signatures on this piece.

Z Plan and Japanese Prisoner of War Radio Transcript: This piece kicks off the first in a new series, the WWII series. This is a translation of a page from the Japanese Z Plan to defend against an Allied attack in the Pacific Theater of WWII. This document was recovered secretly from the Japanese, copied by Allied forces, and distributed to American commanders in 1944 to inform them of Japanese defense plans.

Eisenhower’s “Order of the Day” & Sketch of D-Day Platoon Leader: This is the second piece in the WWII series and it was quite the sight! On one side was the “order of the day” to US military personnel taking part in the D-Day invasion against Normandy. On the other side, was a sketch drawn by Eisenhower of how Platoon Leaders should dress. Fascinating!

History by Mail 6-month Subscription – Final Thoughts

History by Mail is truly a captivating journey through time. The experience of holding and examining these historical documents and replicas is pretty special. Each document is a window into the past, offering a unique perspective on pivotal moments in history. Whether you’re a seasoned historian or simply curious about the world around you, this subscription is a must-have. It’s an investment in knowledge, a spark for conversation, and a tangible connection to the past.

I can’t wait to see what historical treasures await in future mailings. Stay tuned, we’ll be unboxing the next 6 months on the blog next month, including the remaining pieces from the WWII series we started here! What do you think about History by Mail?  I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

-AYOB Jessica