Abstract: The invention provides mail processing equipment which receives opened items of mail for moving these items individually past several stations. Each item is first gripped in a mail carrier which moves longitudinally and which is rotated as it moves to take up a position in which the carrier and item of mail face transversely. Once the rotation is completed the item is released for ready removal as it passes the station. A mail transporter is also provided to carry items of mail individually past the stations and which returns the items to these stations for a second pass in the event that the items are not removed at the first pass. After the envelope has had the contents removed, the ennvelope is handled automatically in an envelope transporter but is available to the operator until such time as a further envelope is entered into the envelope transporter. Consequently, if there is difficulty with the contents of a particular envelope, the operator can retrieve the envelope for further use.