Local Post Offices
Our Archive holds a variety of different sources that will assist local historians in their research on particular Post Office premises. The material is scattered over a number of archive classes as well as our Portfolio Collection:
- POST 74: Solicitor's Department (contains prosecution briefs) (not currently available on the online catalogue)
- POST 118: Photographs 20th century
- POST 55: Handstruck Date Stamps Proof Books
- POST 29, 34, 39, 41 and 43 for packet records (mail sent by sea)
- POST 40: Postmaster General's Reports
- POST 92: Post Office Publications
Examples from our Collection
Here are some examples of material on Post Office premises in our collection:
Extract from Packet Office Letter Book, 29 March 1705
Letter written by the Postmaster General to Mr Jones of Falmouth Post Office Packet Station.
Sketch from Postmaster General's Report, 22 May 1802
Reference to Sanquhar Sub Post Office, possibly the world's oldest working post office.
Plan for land in Bristol, 13 September 1907
From a lease between the Trustees of the Bristol Municipal Charities and the Postmaster General.
The Post Office in Bristol Information Booklet, undated
Booklet published by the GPO about the development of postal services in Bristol.
You may also be interested in...
Built For Service
Julian Osley's historical overview of Post Office architecture
A look at the development of purpose-built post offices and their increasingly public service-focused design.
Post Office Circulars
Circulars can be a valuable source of information for local postal historians
Circulars were published weekly as a way of informing staff about changes to mail services and much more.
