Last year we celebrated 175 years since the introduction of the world’s first stamp, the Penny Black, and 160 years since the invention of the pillar box. Both are now everyday objects that we are more than familiar with. Pop it in the Post, our family-friendly exhibition, explores these and other new, and sometimes quirky, ideas that made the mail accessible to all. You can visit now at Havering Museum in Romford until 26 March, free of charge.
‘The Postman’, 1891 (OB1997.5)
Children and adults alike can discover the story of the letter writing revolution and how millions of people’s lives were changed as a result of the innovative problem-solving of Rowland Hill and Anthony Trollope, the brains behind the stamp and pillar box.
Pop it in the Post at Islington Museum last year
As part of the exhibition you can see the writing slope and handstamp Trollope used whilst travelling and working around the country, as well as three early pillar boxes from the BPMA’s collection. There is also a chance to dress up as a Letter Carrier (an early postman) and solve some post puzzles.
One of the first pillar boxes to be used in the British Isles, circa 1852-1853 (OB1996.653)
Come along to find out more about these life-changing inventions and how they created a communications revolution.
Havering Museum is open Wednesday – Saturday 11am-4pm.
-Emma Harper, Exhibitions Officer
The British Postal Museum & Archive blog 