The British Postal Museum & Archive

7 May 2010 - April 2011

Come along to The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) for an exclusive chance to see gems from its unique collection in the new exhibition, Treasures of the Archive.

The BPMA is the only place in the world to hold sheets of Penny Blacks. The Penny Black was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp. It was introduced in Britain in 1840 as a result of widespread calls for postal reform, and marked a turning point in British social history. On display in the exhibition will be a unique proof sheet, together with the original die. Also on show will be the first ‘First Day Cover’ in the world, showing a Penny Black used on 6 May 1840, the first day of validity.

Other exciting exhibits will include objects from the mail coach era such as a flintlock pistol from 1816-1841, a pistol used by the mail coach guards to protect the mail from highwaymen, as well as a GPO mail coach guards timepiece and coat.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see original evidence and investigation files from the Great Train Robbery, one of the largest robberies (in value) in UK history. It took place on 8 August 1963 in Buckinghamshire against a Travelling Post Office train (TPO) travelling from Glasgow to London.

The first pillar boxes in the UK were trialled on the Channel Islands in 1852/53 by the novelist Anthony Trollope, and the exhibition will offer a rare chance to see one of these boxes.

In addition to all of this, Treasures of the Archive will feature original stamp artwork and rare stamps, including the artwork showing Scotland winning the World Cup in 1978 and 16 colour trials for the 1929 Postal Union Congress £1 value, of which only three sets exist.

For museum details, including visitor information and opening times, please see The British Postal Museum & Archive's website

Objects from The British Postal Museum & Archive will also be on show at the exhibition Empire Mail: George V and the GPO at Guildhall Art Gallery.