08/01/2024
To start the new week, here's a postie delivering mail to a farm near Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1975. Just look at that van 😍.
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06/01/2024
Today's Postbox Saturday comes from St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex. This VR wall box is perfectly poised between two buildings on the seafront of this popular Victorian resort town.
04/01/2024
Is researching your family tree on your list of new year resolutions?
If so, did you know that you can access our reading room and archive discovery room at The Postal Museum for free? Royal Mail and GPO staff records are some of the most comprehensive in the country, so if you know someone from your ancestral history who was employed, chances are we might be able to shed a bit more light into their working life.
Find out how our archive team can help your research in person and online by clicking the link below.
👉 https://bit.ly/476w378
03/01/2024
Today we're welcoming our first visitors of 2024.
Our exhibition Dressed to Deliver will be open for the next 9 months, which uncovers the history of postal uniforms over the course of 200 years. If you've not been to check it out for yourself, head to the link below to find out more.
👉 https://bit.ly/3Q1Jgrp
01/01/2024
We can only aspire to be starting New Year's Day with the same bright eyed exuberance as this postman.
30/12/2023
To mark the end of 2023 and the final Postbox Saturday of the year, we wanted to share a selection of our favourite finds from the last 12 months.
Here's to more postbox spotting in 2024! 📮
28/12/2023
Is a tour of the Mail Rail tunnels on your 2024 bucket list? Our Tuesday Tunnel Walks return from 16th January and advance tickets are on sale now.
Explore nearly a century of hidden London history in this unique, alternative experience.
👉 https://bit.ly/46fWNCe
26/12/2023
If you're thinking about paying us a visit, a reminder that we'll be open every day throughout the post-Christmas period from 27th to 31st December and excluding New Years Day.
For booking information follow the link below.
👉 https://bit.ly/3TjxkV7
25/12/2023
However, or wherever you're spending the day, we want to wish all our followers a very Merry Christmas! We'll see you again on 27th December when we'll be open again after the festive break.
🎨 1985. POST 110/0198.
22/12/2023
If you think your spare room or storage spaces are running out of room ahead of Christmas Day, then spare a thought for what it must have been like sorting parcels back in the day.
This photograph taken in 1962 at the Mount Pleasant sorting office shows a mountain of parcels to get through.
POST 118/17626
21/12/2023
This remarkable Christmas card was sent in 1915 by a resourceful soldier during WW1. As you can see, he had to use a strip of material from his trousers to write his message due to the lack of writing supplies. The message reads
'On Active Service - No Xmas cards obtainable. Just a strip of khaki to wish you topping luck and all the other things they wish on cards by Raphael Tuck. Drink our health on Xmas day, when we're dodging Mausers - And keep this as a souvenir of me and tattered trousers! P.S.P.'
On the reverse is written 'Cheerhio!/ Ever yours, P. Sutton Page'
20/12/2023
'Dear Father Christmas. Please bring me lots of toys. Tank you (David). Age 4.
In our collection we have many letters sent to Father Christmas from children throughout the decades. This example from David, aged 4, is one of our most 'to the point' examples. But at least he has his priorities straight. This letter was sent in the mid 1960's, which was the time that children first started writing to Father Christmas in the UK.
19/12/2023
This fabulous Air Mail poster from 1960 was part of the General Post Office's Post Early campaign. Find out more about the GPO's PR campaign which was too successful below.
👉 https://bit.ly/33xUXyk
POST 110/3949
18/12/2023
Did you know that December marks the anniversary of the Post Office Railway (AKA Mail Rail)? After being delayed for several years, the railway finally opened on 5 December 1927 between Mount Pleasant and Paddington. On 19 December the line between Mount Pleasant and Liverpool Street Station opened, before the final part of the jigsaw was added when the line to the Eastern District Office in Whitechapel was completed.
This map from 1937 shows how the railway stretched through London via a network of hidden underground tunnels. Whilst the second photograph shows what our Mail Rail depot at Mount Pleasant looked like in 1927.
16/12/2023
It's a few days before Christmas but we thought we'd share a present early for today's Postbox Saturday. A magnificent Victorian penfold pillar box found in Bath a couple of months ago by one of our team.
15/12/2023
Many of us will soon receive Christmas cards delivered by our local posties, with many likely to feature images of snowy pillar boxes or maybe even of a robin delivering the mail in a snowy scene.
But how and why did they become popular on Christmas Cards? And how did Posties become associated with Robins? For the answers to these questions, senior curator Corrinne journeys all the way back to the earliest Christmas cards.
👉 https://bit.ly/4ajvedN
13/12/2023
Is this the worlds best travelled piece of paper? This remarkable item from our archives shows a postcard that has been posted back and forth numerous times. It was sent between Doncaster and Brazil, and even once to France, over the course of eight years, from 1910 and 1917.
As you can see from the second image, small pieces of paper have been stuck on the card, with some words and messages still readable. The colourful array of stamps makes this a true time capsule of the early 20th century.
11/12/2023
Did you know that today is National Postal Workers Day?
Launched in 2011 by the Communication Workers Union, it's a day to celebrate the hard work and dedication of hundreds of thousands of women and men who collect, sort, and deliver letters, parcels, and packets.
So, on National Postal Workers Day, please look out for your local postman or postwoman, give them a friendly wave, a cheerful message and show them today that you appreciate them and the fantastic work they do.
09/12/2023
Fancy something spicy?
There's something rather appropriate about spotting this George VI postbox next to a sign advertising Bloody Marys given their matching colours.
📸 Oxford
08/12/2023
Please be aware that tomorrow, Saturday 9th December, we will be closed all day for a private event. We will welcome visitors back to the museum on Sunday.
07/12/2023
Are you interested in learning how postal uniforms have changed over time?
If you can't visit our new exhibition 'Dressed to Deliver', you can read our latest curatorial blog below.
👉 https://bit.ly/3Q1G0My
05/12/2023
On this day in 1934, German scientist Gerhard Zucker conducted his final Rocket Mail trial as he attempted to jet propel mail from Lymington on the Hampshire coast to the Isle of Wight.
Zucker's previous experiments in the Outer Hebrides had been explosive, and not in a good way. So this test had to go well. Unfortunately for the hapless Gerhard, the rocket didn't clear the mainland and landed in marshes under a mile away from the launch site.
If you want to learn more about how close Zucker was to succeeding in his ambitious quest, click the link below.
👉 https://bit.ly/3GeznSq
04/12/2023
This diagram shows the operation of a Sovex parcel sorting machine believed to be dated from 1957. It provides a wonderful snapshot of what the busy sorting rooms of the day would have looked like and how they were organised.
02/12/2023
With the festive season now upon us, we thought we'd share a selection of our favourite archive Post Early festive posters that feature postboxes. It is Postbox Saturday after all.
Which is your favourite?
01/12/2023
The festive season is officially upon us. From family activities to our annual display of archive letters to Father Christmas, click below to find out what's taking place at The Postal Museum this December. 🎄
👉 https://bit.ly/3Ror77R
30/11/2023
As it's St Andrews Day, we want to celebrate a true Scottish hero, Jean Cameron. It was on her rural postal routes across the Cairngorms in the 1940s that Jean discovered the formal skirts given to all postwomen were less than convenient for her daily hikes across the glens.
Jean went on to be a pioneer and eventually won the right for not just herself, but for all postwomen to wear trousers at work. By November 1943, 14,000 pairs of 'Camerons' had been issued. You can learn the full story of Jean Cameron in our new exhibition Dressed to Deliver, which unravels the history of postal uniforms and their impact on employees and public alike.
👉 https://bit.ly/3t0mKYf
29/11/2023
Any guesses as to which city is featured in the background of this archive photograph taken in 1937?
Hint: It was the first city to get postcodes.
28/11/2023
Our December Tunnel Walks are selling out fast. At this time of year, our tours have a unique festive twist, allowing you to see festive murals not usually seen on a standard tour.
With our only remaining tickets on sale for the evening of 5th December, act fast to secure your spot, or give as an early Christmas present to someone you love.
👉 https://bit.ly/46fWNCe
27/11/2023
Today we're thinking about this GPO Greetings Telegram backing paper. It was designed by Kerry Lee in 1938, with depictions of telegraph messenger boys shown whizzing about.
25/11/2023
Postbox Saturday is here to brighten up your morning. This beauty was photographed on a bright, blue autumnal day in Homerton, East London.
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Children have been writing letters to Father Christmas for over 100 years. But when and why did Santa start writing back? #PostalMuseum #LettersToSanta #FatherChristmas #Archives #Christmas #Santa
Forget about Black Friday. Did you know that this weekend is Museum Shop Sunday? To mark the occasion we wanted to give a shout out to our gift shop which is stocked full of postal themed goodies. You can find all these and more when you visit or online if you're unable to visit in person. To browse our full collection, head to the link in our bio. Museum Shop Sunday is an annual international campaign to highlight the vital role of retail in helping arts, cultural and heritage venues to survive and thrive. To find out more about head to their profile Museum Shop Sunday . #PostalMuseum #GiftShop #MuseumShop #MuseumShopSunday #blackfriday
Meet Phil. Phil has been a postman for 33 years and he's proud to wear the Royal Mail Uniform. But as you can see from this video, he still prefers the old school attire which he continues to adapt with the modern garments. This doesn't mean that he's immune to wearing shorts in all weather conditions though. Which you find out why by heading to the link in our bio to watch the full video on YouTube. Phil was one of our amazing postie contributors that helped us with our new exhibition Dressed to Deliver, which unravels the history of postal uniforms. To check it out for yourself, head to The Postal Museum where it's included in the price of your ticket. #PostalMuseum #RoyalMail #Uniform #History #LondonMuseum #LondonExhibition #LondonHistory #VisitLondon
This weekend marks the anniversary of the first time a Mobile Post Office was used in the UK. Appearing at the Marden and District Commercial Fruit Show in Kent on 6-8 October 1936. These beautifully designed vehicles were an immediate success, with another made soon after to satisfy demand. Visitors to events such as Henley Regatta were now able to send letters, postcards, telegrams and make phone calls to friends and family. Although the demand for Mobile Post Offices at sporting events and agricultural shows declined from the 1980s, a new form of demand emerged in the 1990s. They were tasked with serving rural communities and today you can still find 60 of them across the UK helping the country stay connected. We're lucky enough to have our own Mobile Post Office, fully restored, and housed in the museum's archive store. Check out our shirt video to learn more. #PostalMuseum #MobilePostOffice #History #PostOffice #PostalHistory
Join us on a Tunnel Walk to see the next part. 🚇🔦👷 In search of something slightly different as we approach spooky season? We can't promise that a Tunnel Walk at The Postal Museum will be a particularly ghoulish experience. But exploring this hidden subterranean landscape certainly adds to the aesthetic. And most importantly you'll learn the fascinating history of Mai Rail and the Post Office Railway. 😉 Tickets are on sale now for all Autumn dates, with four walks taking place on Halloween. Head to the link in our bio to find out more. #PostalMuseum #TunnelWalks #HiddenLondon #VisitLondon #LondonHistory #MailRail
Signed, sealed, delivered... shopping sorted! Check out our colourful new brand range available at The Postal Museum and our online shop. Just in time for #worldpostcardday 📮 #thepostalmuseum #signedsealeddelivered #shop #museumshop #brand #london #londonmuseum
It's been a hot one out there this week. So a careful reminder that the stalactites in our Mail Rail tunnels are for looking at only. However, being underground is still a good way to beat the heat if you're looking to stay out of the sun's rays this week. So why not come and pay a visit to everyone's favourite mini subterranean train. #PostalMuseum #Heatwave #LondonMuseum #MailRail
Post & Play is calling. ☎️ It's a new term which means our tailor made sessions for Under 5's are chugging back to our Mail Rail Depot this Thursday. We've also introduced new slots in the afternoon as well as mornings to enable more families to visit . If you've not joined us before, Post & Play sessions are just £5 per child and just £1 for local residents from Camden borough. You can even add a visit to our Sorted! playspace to continue the fun from just £2 per child. Head to the Families link in our bio to find out more. #PostalMuseum #LondonKids #LondonParents #PostAndPlay
Not all stamps in our collection are the kind you'd stick to your envelope. Deep in the archives, in our vault no less, are drawers full of antique hand stamps from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It's Stamp Week in our Summer of Invention. Whilst the creation of the postage stamp is well documented, do you know why the hand stamp was invented? It was invented because Letter Carriers in 1661 were untrustworthy - well, according to the Postmaster General of the time. Letters were turning up late or sometimes not even arriving at all. But there was no way to prove when a letter had been sent. So hand stamps were introduced to mark the date and hold the Letter Carrier accountable. #PostalMuseum #Stamp #Archive #Antiques #Vintage #LondonMuseum #Museum #History
It's almost time to get ready for the Summer Holidays ☀️. This July and August explore the museum, Mail Rail and more as part of our Summer of Invention. Including free family led activities with arts and crafts, interactive sessions and a family trail. Come and learn all about the marvellous Postal inventions to mark 20 years since Mail Rail delivered it's last post and enjoy a day out with a difference. Find out more and book by heading to the link in our bio. We look forward to seeing you. #PostalMuseum #summerholidays #LondonDaysOut #LondonKids #LondonFamilies #Museum #London #VisitLondon
Take a step inside the Mail Rail tunnels with us. In 2003, when the Mail Rail closed and the last remaining workers left, it was done at such short notice that many things were left behind. One of the most interesting items, a dartboard, shows how workers would spend their break time between trains arriving at the platforms. The scores from the final game are still visible. You can see for yourself on a Tunnel Walk, with tours on sale for July and August for those wanting to see a hidden side of London history this summer. Head to the link on our bio to find out more. #PostalMuseum #AbandonedEngineering #HiddenLondon #MailRail#LondonTours #SecretLondon #VisitLondon #London
Take a wild trip to The Postal Museum this half term with Art Funds The Wild Escape programme. Get hands on with arts & crafts whilst learning about the very hungry creatures that live in the museum. From helpful beasties to the bugs keen to make a meal out of the museum collection. There are 5 drop-in arts and crafts sessions taking place, find out more by following the link below. Or alternatively hear from the creatures themselves in our animated short. 🕷️ 👉 bit.ly/43pEJUK
British Sign Language Tours at The Postal Museum
Our next British Sign Language Tour is coming up on Tuesday, 18 April. To learn more, here's tour guide John to run you through what to expect. Tickets are £3.50 and can be booked using the link below. 👉 https://buff.ly/3Tkf23L
Where does the tube go? Today we're excited to share the news that The Postal Museum is now on Tik Tok! If you happen to have an account, then we'd highly recommend giving us a follow for more "first class" content delivered to your feed.
Letters to Santa 54sec clip
🚨 CAUTION, SANTA SPOILERS AHEAD. 🚨 Currently on display in the museum is the first ever letter sent from Father Christmas. We delve into this delightful correspondence in this short explainer below. 👇
Sorting Britain Countdown
The countdown is on... Today, we enter the final month of Sorting Britain. Don’t miss the story of the ground-breaking technology that changed the post forever in our special exhibition. 👉 https://bit.ly/3JPRcYD
Today, we remember the life of Queen Elizabeth II through the stamps issued throughout her 70-year reign. From the special issue stamps marking her Accession in 1952 to the Platinum Jubilee stamps issued this year, the image of the late monarch has been a consistent and recognisable symbol of Great Britain for generations.
MailRailCraneTimelapse
We're taking a trip down "construction" lane this week as we look ahead to our 5th birthday this Sunday. Is this how you imagined the Mail Rail trains arrived? 🚂
Olympics and Paralympics 2012
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the London 2012 Olympics 🏅 This series of stamps commemorates the spectacular opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. What are your memories of London 2012?
Social_Teaser_Coding_Desk
A day in the life of a Coding Desk Operator ✉️ Step into Matthew's shoes and find out what it was like to work with sorting machines in the 1980s -> https://bit.ly/3MSGEZj
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The Postal Museum in London reveals Britain's remarkable social and communications history through the eyes of an iconic service. Take a ride on Mail Rail and experience 15 minutes of immersive underground exploration on our miniature trains, now adapted for enhanced safety.
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