Postal Service Collection

The Palace of Versailles, Paris, France, early 20th century

Bodinnick. Fowey, c1930. From Six Latest Views of Fowey. [Harvey Barton, Aberdeen and Bristol, c1930]

Twixt Love and Duty, 1914. World War I postcard, showing a British officer saying farewell to a loved one and answering the call to duty

Postman emptying the letterbox, 1960
The village postman collecting from the box by the pathway leading to Ebernoe Church. George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N55114

The Bridge of Sighs, Hertford College, Oxford University, Oxford, early 20th century

Miss Lily Elsie, (1886-1962), The Merry Widow. c1930. Creator: Unknown
Miss Lily Elsie, (1886-1962), The Merry Widow". c1930. English actress and singer during the Edwardian era. [Foulsham & Banfield, London]

The Brighton Mail on Christmas Day, 1836 (1905). Artist: Henry Thomas Alken
The Brighton Mail on Christmas Day, 1836 (1905). From The Connoisseur (January 1905)

The Santos Dumont Air-ship rounding the Eiffel Tower, on October 19th 1901, (c1910). Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932) in his airship (dirigible)

The Parade, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, early 20th century. Artist: Photochrom Co Ltd of London
The Parade, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, early 20th century

High Street, Fremantle, Australia, c1900s. Published by P. Falk & Co. Ltd

The National Gallery and St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, c1910. The National Gallery, established in 1824, houses an internationally important art collection

Chiswick Empire, Chiswick, London, early 20th century. Artist: W F Seymour
Chiswick Empire, Chiswick, London, early 20th century

The port from Mont Boron, Nice, France, early 20th century. Postcard showing the famous resort on the Riviera

A Trial Spin of the Cornell Crews on Cayuga Lake, 1906

French Foreign Legion, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria, 1910. French postcard

Red post box in the snow. Photographed by a wood near Ballater, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, in February

Quicksilver Royal Mail passing the Star and Garter at Kew Bridge, 1835 (oil on canvas)
BSA101160 Quicksilver Royal Mail passing the Star and Garter at Kew Bridge, 1835 (oil on canvas) by Pollard, James (1792-1867)

The Penny Red postage stamp, 1841. Artist: Perkins, Bacon & Co
The Penny Red was a British postage stamp, issued in 1841. It succeeded the Penny Black and continued as the main postage stamp in the United Kingdom until 1879

Droxford, Hampshire, 1905

Rozelle Gates, on the road to Burns Cottage, Ayr, Ayrshire, 1913. From the Caledonia series of postcards

Road Scrapings, 1840 (colour engraving)
XCF271695 Road Scrapings, 1840 (colour engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

The Mail Coach Changing Horses, engraved by R. Havell, 1815 (colour litho)
XCF271694 The Mail Coach Changing Horses, engraved by R. Havell, 1815 (colour litho) by Pollard, James (1797-1867) (after); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Mail Coaches on the Road: The Louth-London Royal Mail Progressing at Speed (oil
XYC159889 Mail Coaches on the Road: The Louth-London Royal Mail Progressing at Speed (oil on canvas) by Henderson, Charles Cooper (1803-77); 32.4x52.7 cm; Yale Center for British Art

Mail Coaches on the Road: The Quicksilver Devonport-London Royal Mail about
XYC159888 Mail Coaches on the Road: The Quicksilver Devonport-London Royal Mail about to Start with a New Team (oil on canvas) by Henderson

The Royal Mail Coach on the Road, 1841 (oil on panel)
XYC159865 The Royal Mail Coach on the Road, 1841 (oil on panel) by Herring Snr, John Frederick (1795-1865); 45.7x35.1 cm; Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, USA; English

SIR ROWLAND HILL (1795-1879). English postal authority and educator. Birthplace of Hill at Kidderminster, England. Engraving, English, 1890

The Irish Guards leaving St. James Palace after Changing Guard, 1933. Creator: Unknown
The Irish Guards leaving St. James Palace after Changing Guard, 1933. One of the great tourist attractions of London: This ceremony takes place every morning at 10.30 at St James Palace

Court of Honour, Coronation Exhibition, London, 1911. Creator: Unknown
Court of Honour, Coronation Exhibition, London, 1911. Mughal style buildings. The Coronation Exhibition, at White City in west London

Coronation Exhibition, Wood Lane entrance, London, 1911. Creator: Unknown
Coronation Exhibition, Wood Lane entrance, London, 1911. The Coronation Exhibition, at White City in west London, was held to celebrate the coronation of King George V

Sheet of 60 Cinderella stamps commemorating King George VIs coronation, 1937. Cinderella stamps is a term used for stamps not issued for postal purposes

British parcels post -cage for reg. Parcels, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
British parcels post -cage for reg. Parcels, between c1910 and c1915

British Parcels Post-sorting parcels for foreign mail, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
British Parcels Post-sorting parcels for foreign mail, between c1910 and c1915

Postmaster Morgan, P.M.G. Hitchcock, & Ovington, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
Postmaster Morgan, P.M.G. Hitchcock, & Ovington, 1911

Christmas Mail, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Christmas Mail, between c1910 and c1915

Postal Tel. Co. Summer Uniform, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Postal Tel. Co. Summer Uniform, between c1910 and c1915. Young Messenger Boy Poses in Postal Telegraph Company Summer Uniform

Letter for Santa Claus, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Letter for Santa Claus, between c1910 and c1915

P.M. Morgan, P.M.G. Hitchcock, & Ovington, 1911. Creator: Bain News Service
P.M. Morgan, P.M.G. Hitchcock, & Ovington, 1911. Shows the first official airmail flight in the United States with pilot Earle Lewis Ovington (1879-1936) in a Bleriot XI airplane

Frank Hitchcock, 1910. Creator: Bain News Service
Frank Hitchcock, 1910

C.E.H. Hobhouse, seated, 1915. Creator: Bain News Service
C.E.H. Hobhouse, seated, 1915

A.S. Burleson, Franklin Lane, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
A.S. Burleson, Franklin Lane, between c1910 and c1915

Sec'y. A.S. Burleson, 1913. Creator: Bain News Service
Sec'y. A.S. Burleson, 1913. Shows Albert Sidney Burleson, Postmaster General in President Woodrow Wilson's cabinet from 1913 to 1921

Sec'y. A.S. Burleson, 1913. Creator: Bain News Service
Sec'y. A.S. Burleson, 1913. Shows Albert Sidney Burleson, Postmaster General in President Woodrow Wilson's cabinet from 1913 to 1921

Geo. J. Meyer, 1916. Creator: Bain News Service
Geo. J. Meyer, 1916. Shows George J. Meyer, postmaster of Buffalo, New York, politician and brewery owner; and chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee, 1916

Meeting of the British Association at Birmingham: the Reception-Room, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Meeting of the British Association at Birmingham: the Reception-Room, 1865. We present [a] view of the interior of the Reception-room (the Exchange Assembly-room, New-street)

The late Earl Canning, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The late Earl Canning, 1862. Engraving from a photograph. Charles John Canning held the positions of Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests

Underground works at the junction of Hampstead-Road, Euston-Road, and Tottenham-Court-Road, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Underground works at the junction of Hampstead-Road, Euston-Road, and Tottenham-Court-Road, 1864. View showing...what extensive subterranean works are being constructed in different parts of London

Sir Rowland Hill, K.C.B. late Secretary to the Post Office, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
Sir Rowland Hill, K.C.B. late Secretary to the Post Office, 1864. Engraving from a photograph by J. and C. Watkins of...the author of the Penny Postage...Sir Rowland Hill has lately retired from

The Old Postman (engraving)
8631966 The Old Postman (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Old Postman. Illustration for England's Pioneers)

Sorting letters at a post office (b/w photo)
8626063 Sorting letters at a post office (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sorting letters at a post office)

The Sheldrake, a postal service ship, off Falmouth, England, an important centre for navigation to the west
MMM5466081 The Sheldrake, a postal service ship, off Falmouth, England, an important centre for navigation to the west, surrounds the boats Eclipse and Sandwich ; National Maritime Museum, London

Blitz, 1940-41: Telephonists continuing to work (b/w photo)
8634814 Blitz, 1940-41: Telephonists continuing to work (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Telephonists continuing to work)

Page from New York Album, c.1895 (colour litho)
8640783 Page from New York Album, c.1895 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration for New York Album (np, c 1895)

Soldiers on foreign service sending money home (litho)
8649490 Soldiers on foreign service sending money home (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Soldiers on foreign service sending money home)

An Old Packet Boat attacked at Sea (colour litho)
8649468 An Old Packet Boat attacked at Sea (colour litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Old Packet Boat attacked at Sea)

Dispatching the St Kilda Mail (litho)
8649482 Dispatching the St Kilda Mail (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dispatching the St Kilda Mail)

The Irish Mail at Euston (colour litho)
8649478 The Irish Mail at Euston (colour litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Irish Mail at Euston)

A letter box in the Australian Bush (litho)
8649477 A letter box in the Australian Bush (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: A letter box in the Australian Bush)

Mail Coach snowed up (colour litho)
8649474 Mail Coach snowed up (colour litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mail Coach snowed up)

Philadelphia: US Custom House and Post Office (b/w photo)
8654579 Philadelphia: US Custom House and Post Office (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: US Custom House and Post Office)

Near the Post-Office, early morning (engraving)
8646971 Near the Post-Office, early morning (engraving) by Frost, Arthur Burdett (1851-1928); Private Collection; (add.info.: Near the Post-Office, early morning. Broadway, New York)

New Zealand, 1890s: Invercargill, the Post Office (b/w photo)
8662463 New Zealand, 1890s: Invercargill, the Post Office (b/w photo) by New Zealand Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Invercargill, the Post Office)

Sorting letters at a London post office (b/w photo)
8626062 Sorting letters at a London post office (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sorting letters at a London post office)

Lake District: The Old Post Office, Loweswater (colour litho)
8622473 Lake District: The Old Post Office, Loweswater (colour litho) by Cooper, Alfred Heaton (1864-1929); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Old Post Office, Loweswater)

A scene with the Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1850
3478429 A scene with the Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a scene with the Post Office telegraph headquarters in London)

Royal Post of the Court of Philip II, lithograph, 16th century
AIS5388194 Royal Post of the Court of Philip II, lithograph, 16th century; Museo Postal y Telegrafico, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: Royal Post of the Court of Philip II)

General Post Office with tram, Bombay, India, 1900s (postcard)
7379792 General Post Office with tram, Bombay, India, 1900s (postcard); Private Collection; © Ajay Goyal/Dinodia Photo

Modern Wonders, 1938: The Speaking Clock (colour photo)
8659931 Modern Wonders, 1938: The Speaking Clock (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Speaking Clock)

Head Office of Savings Bank, West Kensington (litho)
8649498 Head Office of Savings Bank, West Kensington (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Head Office of Savings Bank, West Kensington)

Paying for a letter in olden times (litho)
8649488 Paying for a letter in olden times (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Paying for a letter in olden times)

Stamping the letters (litho)
8649486 Stamping the letters (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Stamping the letters)

Elephant carrying His Majesty's Mails (litho)
8649479 Elephant carrying His Majesty's Mails (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Elephant carrying His Majesty's Mails)

Rural Postman, South Africa (colour litho)
8649464 Rural Postman, South Africa (colour litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rural Postman, South Africa)

The Post Office, Wickhambreaux, Kent (b/w photo)
8647622 The Post Office, Wickhambreaux, Kent (b/w photo) by Davie, William Galsworthy (1841-1915); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Post Office, Wickhambreaux, Kent)

Post Office, Launceston (engraving)
8648032 Post Office, Launceston (engraving) by Australian School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Post Office, Launceston)

Children paying into the Savings Bank (litho)
8651744 Children paying into the Savings Bank (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Children paying into the Savings Bank)

Sorters at work in Mail Van (litho)
8651460 Sorters at work in Mail Van (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sorters at work in Mail Van)

Frank Ives Scudamore
3585743 Frank Ives Scudamore; (add.info.: Portrait of Frank Ives Scudamore (1823-1884) an English Post Office reformer and writer. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank, 1850
3478072 Mr Punch's advice to the British workman at the time of the opening of the Post Office Savings Bank, 1850; (add.info)

Horses pulling U.S. Mail sled, c.1900-27
1128866 Horses pulling U.S. Mail sled, c.1900-27 ; Private Collection; (add.info.: Carpenter Collection)

Bloemfontein: The Post Office (b/w photo)
8633962 Bloemfontein: The Post Office (b/w photo) by South African Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Post Office. Illustration for Views of Bloemfontein (np, c.1900)

Posting a letter at the Mail Van (litho)
8649504 Posting a letter at the Mail Van (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Posting a letter at the Mail Van)

Motor Mail passing through a village (litho)
8649480 Motor Mail passing through a village (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Motor Mail passing through a village)

Operators at the telephone exchange (litho)
8649475 Operators at the telephone exchange (litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Operators at the telephone exchange)

Sorting parcels, Mount Pleasant (colour litho)
8649469 Sorting parcels, Mount Pleasant (colour litho) by Somerfield, Thomas (1876-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sorting parcels, Mount Pleasant)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"The Evolution of Postal Service: A Journey through Time and Places" Step into the grandeur of history at The Palace of Versailles, Paris, France in the early 20th century. Amidst opulence and splendor, postal messengers weaved their way through corridors to deliver messages from far-off lands. Travel back to Bodinnick, Fowey in the 1930s where postmen traversed quaint streets lined with charming cottages. Their dedicated footsteps echoed stories of love and duty as they faithfully delivered heartfelt letters to eager recipients. In the year 1914, amidst a world engulfed in turmoil, Twixt Love and Duty stood a postman's dilemma. With unwavering commitment, he braved adversity to ensure that words of affection reached their intended destinations. Fast forward to 1960 when a humble postman emptied letterboxes across neighborhoods. Each clink resonated with anticipation as communities eagerly awaited news from distant loved ones or important updates from afar. Crossing The Bridge of Sighs at Hertford College, Oxford University in the early 20th century was not only an academic pursuit but also a moment for mail carriers to connect minds separated by distance. They bridged gaps between scholars hungry for knowledge and ideas. Miss Lily Elsie graced stages during her time on Earth (1886-1962), captivating audiences with her performance in The Merry Widow around c1930. Behind the scenes, diligent postal workers ensured fan mail reached this beloved actress who brought joy into countless lives. Witness history unfold as Santos Dumont's Air-ship gracefully rounded the Eiffel Tower on October 19th, 1901 (c1910). In this remarkable feat of engineering marvels soared high above Parisian rooftops carrying parcels destined for new horizons - revolutionizing global communication forevermore. The National Gallery and St Martin in the Fields adorned Trafalgar Square, London in c1910.