What is railway express agency trunk?

The Railway Express Agency (REA) was a national shipping company established in 1917 to handle the consolidation and transportation of express shipments by rail. The trunk, also known as an Express Trunk, was a large wooden box used by the REA to transport packages and parcels. Trunks were often labeled with the sender's and receiver's names and delivered to the recipient's door. The trunks provided a secure and reliable method of transporting goods between cities and rural areas. The REA operated until 1975 when it was absorbed into the newly formed United Parcel Service (UPS) and most of its services were discontinued. Today, REA trunks are considered valuable collectibles and are highly sought after by collectors for their historical significance.