Post offices have long provided an important service to the public. Not only do they sell stamps and other postal products over the counter, they also provide access to a variety of other services such as licences, financial products, travel services and the drawing of pensions.
The number of services that are offered over the counter is reducing, but the post office is often still a vital resource to those living in remote areas. When other provisions are scarce it can become the hub of the community.
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First Adhesive Postage Stamp
6 May 1840
The world’s first adhesive postage stamps, the Penny Black and the Two Penny Blue, became valid for postage on 6 May 1840. Postal stationery, envelopes and letter sheets, with a design by William Mulready were also produced.
This image shows a stamped cover dated on the first day of issue, posted in London to Newport Pagnall, Bucks.
POST 141/03, Phillips Collection
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Old Age pension book cover
1909
Old age pensions started to be paid from post offices in 1909. Pension payments were issued in bound books each containing 25 pension orders. They were payable at all post offices in the UK (exclusive of the Channel Islands and Isle of Man).
POST 66/13
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Post Office Savings book
1929
The Post Office Savings Bank opened on 16 September 1861. Set up to encourage people to save, customers knew their money was secured by the government. The Bank ceased to be part of the Post Office in 1969, and became a separate government department known as National Savings.
2009-0386
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Fiscus home safe
1911 - 1922
The Post Office Savings Bank provided home safes to its customers. These lockable boxes allowed small amounts of money to be saved at home. The post office held the keys to these boxes, and the saver would be encouraged to deposit their savings into their account.
The Fiscus was the first type of home safe, and was introduced in London in 1911 then nationwide in 1912.
2004-0115
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Taylor Law & Co. red home safe
1930 - 1932
The first book type home safe, made from metal with a coloured finish. This design was chosen as a cheaper, lighter and more convenient alternative to the Fiscus boxes.
OB1994.320
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Mobile Post Office
In the 1930s the Post Office felt there was a need for telegraph, telephone and postal facilities at outdoor events.
GPO 1 first appeared at the Marden and District Commercial Fruit Show, Kent in 1936. It was an immediate success and was followed by GPO 2 and GPO 3.
Cover for promotional booklet for the new mobile Post Office service, 1937
Philatelic Collection
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TV licence
1988
The first television licence was issued for £2 in June 1946. After February 1971 radio (or wireless) licences were no longer required, and only TV licences were issued. TV licences stopped being available at the post office in 2006.
2009-0384
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Post & Go
April 2009
Tudor Street kiosk, Ludgate Circus, London
On 6 June 2007 Post Office Ltd announced a programme to install 700 postage label vending machines in post offices. This followed limited trials in 2004 and 2007.
This photo was taken on 22 April 2009, the second day of the Post & Go vending machine kiosks at Ludgate Circus.
E11192
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This exhibition can be seen in full at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire. Please click here to find out more.
