The Development of Air Mails

Speeding up the delivery of mail to overseas countries was one of the goals in the first half of the 20th century. The first trial air mail flights in Great Britain between Hendon and Windsor occurred in 1911. A year later the first 100 mile flight carried mail between Bath and London. By 1920 planes had became reliable and large enough to carry the volumes of mail handled by the Post Office.

During King George V’s reign many air mail routes were developed, with the cost of air mail postage being kept to a minimum.

The Cost of Sending a Letter

The expense of the four year long First World War was a tremendous strain on Great Britain’s finances. The Treasury looked at every way possible of finding enough money to fill the ever growing gap, and one obvious means of increasing its income was to raise postage rates.

In 1918 the one penny postage rate that had been the set 78 years previously in 1840, rose to 1½d, an increase of 50%. Two years later it rose again to 2d, but this was too much for the public to bear and in 1922 the rate reduced again to 1½d.

Motorised Transport

In the Victorian period the Post Office used rail transport for long distance journeys. Roads and the horse and cart were reserved for short distances and the parcel post. In the 20^th century the development of the internal combustion engine and the increased use of the lorry and van meant that road transport could be used for longer distances at speeds faster than the horse and cart could achieve.

Advertising by Post

Advertising on the outside of envelopes or the backs of postcards is still a cheap and easy way of getting your products known. Today we are used to seeing colourful envelopes dropping onto our doormats, but it was not quite such a common occurrence in King George V’s reign. But yesterday’s advertisements were still as appealing, despite being printed in just one colour.

Britain Empire Exhibition, Wembley 1924

The British Empire Exhibition, first suggested in 1913, was opened St. George's Day, 23rd April 1924, to show the new wealth derived from raw materials obtained from the Empire and to foster inter-imperial trade. It was also intended to bring the different races of the British Empire into closer contact with the people of Great Britain. Elaborate pavilions were erected for many countries of the Empire and to show the development of British industry and engineering.

Great Britain's first commemorative stamps were issued on the first day, along with special postal stationery, all in celebration of this event. There were also many souvenirs sold to the public.

All images courtesy of The Trustees of the Bath Postal Museum