Factual Friday… Post Office Stamps

📮 FACTUAL FRIDAY
By Charlie Elphinstone

We offer worldwide delivery on all our products, but have you ever wondered how the postal system came about?

Before organised post, letters were delivered by hand, mainly for royalty, nobles and government officials. In 1516, Henry VIII appointed Sir Brian Tuke as Master of the Posts, helping establish an early national postal service.

By 1635, members of the public could pay to have letters delivered, with prices based on distance. The General Post Office was established in 1660, followed by the introduction of the Bishop Mark to record when letters were received.

🚂 In 1784, mail coaches helped speed up deliveries.

✉️ In 1840, the Penny Black became the world's first adhesive postage stamp, revolutionising the way postage was paid.

📮 Pillar boxes followed in 1852, while telegraphs, telephones and eventually air mail continued to transform communication.

Today, postal services use technology such as barcoded stamps, while Royal Mail has even introduced solar-powered postboxes.

From horseback messengers to barcodes — the postal service has certainly come a long way!

📬 We have a large selection of stamps in stock.
Browse our collection here: