Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 14035 - Postal History, Autographs and Historical Documents
Lot: 3011

Historical Documents
1657 "an act for the setling of the postage of england scotland and ireland at the Parliament at Westminster the 17th Day of September, Anno Domini 1656", printed in London by Henry Hills and John Field. This is the first act of parliament relating to the erecting and setling of one General Post Office for the speedy conveying, carrying and re-carrying of letters by post to and from all places within England, Scotland and Ireland and into several parts beyond the seas. Be it enacted by His Highness the Lord Protector and the Parliament, that from henceforth there be one General Office, to be called, and known by the name of the Post-Office of England: and one officer under the name and stile of Postmaster General of England, and Comptroller of the Post-Office. Also setting out the rates of postage. This document had been bound in a book and is virtually separated into single pages, there is a worm hole towards the upper right which runs through all pages, and some minor buckling at right. A rare and important document which established the Post Office for the carriage of mails. Photo

The origins of the Post Office date from 1635 when King Charles I opened the Royal Post to the public. This was conceived as a way of generating extra revenue for a service which was already in operation. However, the civil war between the royalists and the parliamentarians effectively closed the post for the public. It was not until 1652, after the battle of Worcester had ended and Charles II had fled to the continent, that parliament felt able to reopen the post to the general public. This, the first postage act, confirmed the right of the new position of Postmaster General to carry letters, establish rates and supply horses on the post roads. This act also established the Post Office monopoly for the carriage of letters

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,300