Posters

The BPMA boasts a collection of over 6,000 posters. Dating from the 1930s the collection continues to grow. Newly-produced posters advertising Royal Mail services arrive daily. In addition to the poster collection, the BPMA has many examples of original artwork in archive class POST 109. Many of the posters themselves are part of POST 110, and are currently being catalogued.

During the 1920s there was a boom in graphic design. Major companies, like the railways and London Underground were at the forefront of poster design. 

In 1933 Stephen Tallents was appointed Public Relations Officer for The Post Office and set out on a programme of change. Bringing his experience of The Empire Marketing Board, Tallents commissioned many of the period's exciting graphic designers. He established The Post Office as a leader and trend setter in poster design.

Post Office Savings Bank poster, 1942-1943, finding number: POST 110/3191, PRD 0274

This poster, by Eric Fraser, was one of many used to remind the public to use the Post Office's services more efficiently during the Second World War.

By putting money into the Post Office Savings Bank, people could not only build up savings for themselves, they could help fund the war effort.

Other similar posters encouraged people to post early or post in their lunch breaks to make the sorting of mail more efficient in wartime.

'Is your wireless licensed?' poster, 1950, finding number: POST 110/1248, PRD 0583

This poster was one of a series issued by the GPO in the 1940s and 1950s. It was designed by H A Rothholz.

The posters advertised the services of the Post Office. They informed the public of such things as current postal rates, telephone services and even reminded people to buy their wireless licence.

'Go Ahead' poster, c. 1991, finding number: POST 110/3150

This design is for the WLA (Work Load Assessment) series. The artist is unknown.

This poster is a good example of how the new ideas of the Public Relations Department soon filtered into Post Office's internal communications systems.

Previously, plain posters had instructed staff of changes and best working practices. Now vibrant, colourful and sometimes comic designs were used.

'Cycle of a letter' poster, 1990s, reference number: 235 

This poster is an example of how posters were also used for staff training. This particular one includes information on Royal Mail standards.

Now called 'Journey of a Letter', the poster is still used as an educational tool today. It has undergone many modifications but the principle, eye catching and informative style, has stayed the same.

Go to visual and media records

View access conditions for visual and media records