The U.S. Postal Service responded Wednesday after a Coral Gables man received a magazine 36 years later.

A mail carrier took the 1976 "Ms." magazine back from Marc Smith, who received it the day before.

"I said, 'The only problem I had is that I never got a chance to finish reading it," said Smit.

"First, he was apologetic, saying, 'I have to get the first class mail because you weren't the name on the magazine,'" Smit added.

Later, the Post Inspector General of Miami stopped by Smit's home and explained why USPS took the magazine back.

USPS also issued a statement, saying: “This is a very rare occurrence considering that South Florida letter carriers deliver 3.1 billion pieces of mail every year.  The Postal Service has initiated an investigation to review its operations to determine how this situation may have occurred and to prevent any future occurrences.  This incident does not represent the level of service that we provide to our customers.”

"I think they were more concerned about the PR effects and everything," said Smit.

USPS said the magazine will be stored in a warehouse of unclaimed mail while an investigation is launched.

"Now, they'll go through thousands of dollars in federal bureaucracy to find out where it came from because it's a mystery," said Smit.

Smit said the magazine was addressed to a woman who lived at his address before he moved in 25 years ago. Smit said she has since died.