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Smithsonian sunburst Smithsonian National Postal Museum
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Queen honeybee cage

Object Details

Description
Used for shipping a queen bee, this rectangular wooden container has three circular chambers covered in a wire mesh that hold the queen bee and a few accompanying workers bees, who feed her in transit. Two holes at the ends are sealed during transit, one with a cork and the other with a sugar-candy plug. When the cage is introduced to the hive, the bees work their way through the candy plug, and the queen is released.
Shipping of agricultural products blossomed as the result of the 1896 introduction of Rural Free Delivery service and the 1913 commencement of Parcel Post service. The mailing of live animals continues today and is well regulated in the interest of the health of the public and the animals.
Data Source
National Postal Museum
Date
c. 1990s
Object number
1991.0414.1
Type
Commercial Products
Medium
wood; metal; cork
Dimensions
Height x Width x Depth: 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 1 in. (1.91 x 8.89 x 2.54 cm)
Place
Maryland
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
On View
Currently on exhibit at the National Postal Museum
Topic
Contemporary (1990-present)
Customers & Commerce
Record ID
npm_1991.0414.1
Usage
Not determined
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm82b682993-7e88-42ce-9f7b-962bbd4f58fc

Related Object Groups

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HomeSmithsonian National Postal Museum

Plan a Visit

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

street map of Postal museum

Learn more
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Owney, the Railway Mail Service Mascot

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