PURPOSE: To reduce the work of an operator and to improve processing speed by providing a function reading a return mark (mark in specified color) and dividing a mail as a return mail when the return mark is read.

CONSTITUTION: A mail address reader consists of a photoelectric conversion part 1, an A/D conversion part 2, a picture processing part 3, a character recognition part 4, an address recognition part 5 and a mail division part 6. The function reading the return mark is provided. When the return mark is read, the mail is divided as the return mail and therefore work for dividing the return mail from a rejected mail can be removed. Thus, the effect of the reading of address-s information can sufficiently be displayed, that is the work of the man operating a device can be reduced and processing speed can be improved.