Post office evolution | The British Newspaper Archive Blog

Blog

Post office evolution

Where would we be without post offices! Believe it or not, but post offices did not always exist. You can learn about their origins in The British Newspaper Archive. You may also discover details about your local post office — when it opened or when previous iterations closed!

The Sketch | 24 July 1895

Among detailing the post office’s evolution, the above article also includes an anecdote that relates to a time when the recipient of a letter was obliged to pay the postage:

 

‘The terms “post-chaise”, “post-boy”, “postillion”, &c., still linger among us as interesting souvenirs of the old-fashioned method of postal delivery. Early in the last century, the postman announced his approach by blowing a horn or by ringing a bell. He carried a bag on his arm, for the collection of letters in rural and outlying districts. Samuel Taylor Coleridge used to tell a good story about the old system of paying for the carriage of letters on delivery. “One day, when I had not a shilling which I could spare”, he said, “I was passing by a cottage not far from Keswick, where a letter-carrier was demanding a shilling for a letter, which the woman of the house appeared unwilling to pay, and, at last, declined to take. I paid the postage, and, when the man was out of sight, she told me that the letter was from her son, who took that means of letting her know that he was well; the letter was not to be paid for. It was opened, and found to be blank”. Many of the old customs associated with the collection and conveyance of letters were, however, destroyed when penny postage was introduced. The old bellman was no longer required, and died a natural death. Steam has annihilated the old mail-coach, and the introduction of adhesive postage-stamps has done more than any other invention to increase the usefulness and scope of our postal system. […] The General Post Office was not originally situated at St Martin’s-le-Grand. A letter-office in connection with the principal mails was established in 1635. In 1656 the Long Parliament passed an Act ordering the creation of a central General Office’.

 

Closing of the most historic post office | The Sphere | 5 November 1910

 

Start your newspaper journey by registering today

Tags

, , , , ,

8 comments On Post office evolution

  • If you are facing any issue related to Avast Antivirus, Avast customer support team is available to help you anytime.
    You can call on the toll free number or write them an email about your problems. Avast support team will follow up on your request and your problem will be fixed as soon as possible.
    The toll-free number remains active 24*7 so that users can immediately troubleshoot the issue without risking the protection of their devices.
    Do not put your data on risk and call Avast support now!

  • Find your HP printer model and download drivers 123.hp.com/setup,Find
    instructions to install printer on Wireless & USB. Connect your HP printer setup via
    Wireless on Windows, Mac, Smartphones etc.

  • I loved the way you discuss the topic great work thanks for the share.

  • Things are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial.

  • Our website helps to download,install and activate ms office for free.do visit us and feel free to contact at our live chat support

  • Office products can be managed online by visiting the link office.com/login and signing in to your account. Every Office account gives you the provision to download, install, activate, and renew your version of the product

  • McAfee.com/activate – McAfee provides complete virus protection and internet security to all your devices. Know more about McAfee, McAfee Activation and McAfee Product Key here.

  • Traditional secretaries are used to answer phones and check antiquity books. Office bureaucrats are responsible for much more. The person who amasses the presentations may be dealing with regulars or in the case of our school – paternities who are itchy. They make more decisions, not just to make brown and copy.

Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.