The guide provides Research Publications' fiche and reel numbers, with their contents, for City directories of the United States in microform; segment 1 (pre 1860), segment 2 (1861-1881) and segment 3 (1882-1901).

This fascinating history of the U.S. Express business, prior to the advent of the Pony Express and focused largely on the eastern half of the country, was originally published in 1860. The book is packed with advertisements throughout, for everything imaginable: architects, bankers, revolvers, foreign wines, books, clothing, insurance companies, fireworks, tin cans, produce, washing machines, stoves, accountants, and much more.