Registered mail system
AT THE meeting of the Loughborough & District
Philatelic Society on Thursday, May 10, members welcomed Mr. Steven Harrison of the Solihull Philatelic Society, who was to display “GB. Registered Mail”.
He told members he had been collecting for over 40 years and during this period, he became interested in the Registered Mail System in the UK.
He likened his display as a walk down a road that had many side-streets that ended up in a cul-de-sac. Something familiar with many members and their collections.
He said that in 1886, the Post Office wanted to improve the quality of their services in offering compensation for lost mail. Charges were made (e.g. for an extra 2d. the post office would compensate the sender with £2.
For an extra 4d paid the compensation would be £5). Originally, it was suggested that information regarding this service was to be printed on the back of the envelope. But this was rejected as too costly.
A printed label was then suggested and approved. This was a Compensation Label fixed to the front of the envelope. In 1891, many different designs of labels were used. However, in 1898, to easily recognise what was a letter carrying compensation, a label was printed with the letter R, plus the post office number and location was issued.
At first the R was on the righthand side of the label, but shortly afterwards, it was moved to the left, where it has been ever since. Steven displayed examples of all these labels, on cover.
His next items displayed GB Stationery cards, registered and sent abroad. Then embossed stationery cards that were used for a short time on the railways TPOs ( Travelling Post Offices). Other items included covers registered and sent to Spain and the USA.
In 1907, after a complaint by the USA postal authority to the UPU, four designs were printed to comply with UPU instructions. Originally printed in sheets of 50 labels. In 1931 labels were produced in coils. The label had a number, plus the locality of the post office accepting the registered material.
This continued until 1973, when only the Head Post Office name was shown along with a number.
Again, Steven displayed covers carrying all these different types of labels.
In Scotland, the early labels had a label with perforations that could be torn off, depending on its destination (e.g. Glasgow local the strips {of 2}, were taken off. Paisley to London one strip was taken off), but this method was soon discarded.
It was noted that special parcel labels, larger than those used on letters, were in use.
During WWII, registered mail to Army camps were shown carrying a special R label. Also, for the 1946 20th Congress of Great Britain, special labels issued only during the Congress. Holiday camps, (Butlins and Pontins for example), were authorised to enable them to put them on envelopes sent from the camps. Again, Steven displayed items to show all of these. He then went off into a cul-de-sac and showed registered mail receipts. The earliest one shown was dated 1841.
Various designs were printed through the years up to 1895. In addition to the label, mail that was registered, had two blue lines drawn, one across the middle of the envelope, the other vertical. Even Telegrams could be sent via registered mail.
Banks made use of the registered mail. Either to have old notes returned or new ones to be circulated to different branches.
These packages, would of course, have thousands of pounds in them and to ensure the safe delivery, a special red HVP (High Value Package) label was produced.
Steven then said that when the mail was sent by TPO, a large Tag was attached to the bags carrying the registered mail. Affixed to the Tag was a large HVP label affixed.
He then referred to the Great Train Robbery of 7th August 1963. He said that the railway company had new carriages built, with lockable compartments and telephone communication links and bars up to the windows.
However, just before the date of the robbery, there were no new carriages available!? So, the older carriages had to be used. Also, bags that had only the red HVP label on the tags, were taken. Here. Steven showed a photo of such a label used in evidence.
To end, he went down several cul-de-sacs., by displaying other labels connected with registration. POOC, (Posted out of Course), where someone had inadvertently posted an intended registered item into the normal letter box. It then received a special Compulsory Registration label.
UK Registered Labels were not always recognised by other countries and items showing that countries registered labels were also displayed by Steven.
Then followed Cash-onDelivery (COD) mail, Registered mail posted on board or carried on ship, Forces mail from various military camps and Inland Revenue facsimiles.
In his vote-of-thanks to Steven, Brian Phipps eloquently summed up Steven’s display as “Philately with a Laugh” due to Stevens commentary throughout his display.
He congratulated him on his knowledge and research and for his wonderful display.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 24, when Rex Dixon will present “German Winter Relief”.