Series GB 0813 POST 49 Series - Post Office: Records on the International Parcel Post Service

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0813 POST 49 Series

Title

Post Office: Records on the International Parcel Post Service

Date(s)

  • 1856-1986 (Creation)

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

56 files and volumes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

In 1880 a Postal Conference was held at Paris with the view to creating an International Parcel Post. At that conference the British Post Office was represented, although having no Inland Parcel Post it was unable to enter into any international agreement.

The Inland Parcel Post came into operation on 1 August 1883, and from the outset it was intended to link this service with the International Parcel Post as soon as possible.

Early in 1883 the proposals to be submitted to the forthcoming Postal Congress were being circulated and it was apparent that there would be an attempt to introduce into the Parcel Post Convention modifications which the Post Office would find very difficult to accept while its parcel post was yet in its infancy. A circular letter

was sent to all the signatories of the convention asking whether they were willing to concede to Great Britain the special terms agreed to at the Paris Conference of 1880. The replies to the circular were generally favourable but the Treasury at this time declined to allow the Post Office to proceed with negotiations until the Inland Parcel Post was more firmly established. It was not until November 1884 that authority for the establishment of a Foreign and Colonial Parcel Post was at length obtained, and the service established.

Archival history

GB 0813 POST 49 Series 1856-1986 Series 56 files and volumes Post Office

In 1880 a Postal Conference was held at Paris with the view to creating an International Parcel Post. At that conference the British Post Office was represented, although having no Inland Parcel Post it was unable to enter into any international agreement.

The Inland Parcel Post came into operation on 1 August 1883, and from the outset it was intended to link this service with the International Parcel Post as soon as possible.

Early in 1883 the proposals to be submitted to the forthcoming Postal Congress were being circulated and it was apparent that there would be an attempt to introduce into the Parcel Post Convention modifications which the Post Office would find very difficult to accept while its parcel post was yet in its infancy. A circular letter

was sent to all the signatories of the convention asking whether they were willing to concede to Great Britain the special terms agreed to at the Paris Conference of 1880. The replies to the circular were generally favourable but the Treasury at this time declined to allow the Post Office to proceed with negotiations until the Inland Parcel Post was more firmly established. It was not until November 1884 that authority for the establishment of a Foreign and Colonial Parcel Post was at length obtained, and the service established.

Records transferred internally from Royal Mail.

This record series comprises memoranda, letters and reports on the establishment and operation of the Foreign and Colonial Parcel Post, and agreements between the Post Office of the United Kingdom, and foreign postal authorities and shipping companies. It also includes papers relating to 1970s and 1980s overseas parcel services.

Item are arranged chronologically within each sub-series.

Public Record

Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Postal Heritage Trust's discretion. Please note that material may be

unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. See our published policies for full details.

Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

English

A Guide to the Royal Mail Archive

For records on the Inland Parcel Post see

POST 25 For agreements on the exchange of mail between countries see

POST 46 For UPU agreements on the exchange of mail between countries see POST 117.

Entry checked by Barbara Ball

Compiled in compliance with General Internation Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G) second edition 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997

24/03/2011 Entry checked June 2011 Information sources Documents Memorandums Postal services Post Office Communication industry

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Records transferred internally from Royal Mail.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

This record series comprises memoranda, letters and reports on the establishment and operation of the Foreign and Colonial Parcel Post, and agreements between the Post Office of the United Kingdom, and foreign postal authorities and shipping companies. It also includes papers relating to 1970s and 1980s overseas parcel services.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Item are arranged chronologically within each sub-series.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Public Record

Conditions governing reproduction

Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Postal Heritage Trust's discretion. Please note that material may be

unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. See our published policies for full details.

Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

For records on the Inland Parcel Post see

POST 25 For agreements on the exchange of mail between countries see

POST 46 For UPU agreements on the exchange of mail between countries see POST 117.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

British Postal Museum and Archive: The Royal Mail Archive

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General Internation Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G) second edition 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area