10 Facts About The Royal Mail

It's World Post Day! To celebrate, I thought I'd post ten cool facts about the UK's own Royal Mail, and ten things you can buy to celebrate the day (or just stamps and mail in general).

1. In the beginning...

Via notonthehighstreet.com

A precursor to The Royal Mail was founded in 1512 when Brian Tuke was made 'Master of the Posts' by Cardinal Wolsey in the time of Henry VIII.

2. Saddle up.

Via notonthehighstreet.com

In 1635, Charles I opened the first public postal service. Letters were delivered to 'posts' around the country by boys on horseback.

3. By Royal Appointment.

Via shop.royalmail.com

The Royal Mail was founded on 31st July 1635 when 'the Settling of the Letter-Office of England and Scotland' was authorised by Royal proclamation.

4. The right coach for the team.

Via wayfair.co.uk

Journey times between posts was more than halved when, in 1784, John Palmer set up the first mail coach journey from Bristol to London.

5. A man in uniform.

Via global.rakuten.com

In 1793, letter carriers got their first uniforms. This wasn't to make them look smart, but instead it enabled their employers to catch them 'mis-spending their time in Ale Houses'.

6. Then there was Moses.

Via notonthehighstreet.com

Moses James Nobbs worked for the Post Office for 55 years, man and boy, between 1836 and 1891 - the longest serving mail guard in history, and the longest serving Royal Mail employee ever.

7. Sticky situation.

Via eurocosm.com

On 6th May 1840, the Penny Black was introduced - the world's first adhesive stamp.

8. Rocket power.

Via corgi.co.uk

In 1934, The Royal Mail experimented with the idea of delivering the Mail by rocket. While inventor Gerhard Zucker's first experiment was a success, his next two failed and the idea was abandoned.

9. The really can deliver anywhere...

Via notonthehighstreet.com

The Royal Mail still deliver letters to Santa Claus. If you need the address, it can be found here: http://www.royalmail.com/letters-to-santa

10. ...and they deliver a lot too.

Via postofficeshop.co.uk

The Royal Mail, in 2012, delivered almost 16,000,000,000 items to the UK's 29,000,000 addresses. I think our posties deserve a day of recognition, don't you?