Unstitching the Uniform: Unpicking the stories hidden within the British Postal Museum & Archive’s uniform collection
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PowerPoint accompanying BPMA Curator Joanna Espin's talk at Guildhall Library, London on 26 March 2015. Full recording here: http://bit.ly/uniformje Discover the fascinating stories and rich social history hidden within the British Postal Museum & Archive’s Uniform Collection. Join Curator Joanna Espin, and explore the development of postal uniforms, the lives of the people who wore them, and the cultural significance they held.
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Unstitching the Uniform: Unpicking the stories hidden within the British Postal Museum & Archive’s uniform collection
- 1. Joanna Espin, Curator Unstitching the Uniform: Unpicking the stories hidden within the British Postal Museum & Archive’s uniform collection www.postalheritage.org.uk
- 2. www.postalheritage.org.uk BPMA, Mail Packet off Eastbourne, Victor Tolubioff Howes, 2005-0102
- 4. Uniform coat National Trust Inventory Number 1350640 Snowshill Wade Costume Collection www.postalheritage.org.uk
- 6. Uniform coat National Trust Inventory Number 1350640 Snowshill Wade Costume Collection GPO Mail Coach Guard Coat BPMA, 2010-0079 www.postalheritage.org.uk
- 7. BPMA, flintlock pistol, E1346. www.postalheritage.org.uk
- 10. "Them as 'ave seen coaches afore rails came into fashion 'ave seen something worth rememberin'! Them was 'appy days for old England, afore reform and rails turned everything upside down." Recollections of a coachman, St Martin's-le-Grand Magazine www.postalheritage.org.uk
- 15. BPMA, River postman’s uniform 1861-1882 (2010-0476) GPO Mail Coach Guard Coat BPMA, 2010-0079 www.postalheritage.org.uk
- 17. www.postalheritage.org.uk The Post of River Postman in the Pool of London 1800 - 1806 William Simpson Former Waterman 1806 - 1810 William Simpson Son 1810 – 1832 Samuel Evans Simpson’s Assistant 1832 - 1845 Samuel Evans Son 1845 - 1856 Samuel Lowden Evans Son 1856 - 1885 George. T. Evans Brother 1885 - 1914 George Henry Evans Son 1914 - 1952 Herbert Lionel Evans Son 1952 Service is terminated
- 24. www.postalheritage.org.uk BPMA, POST 61/116
- 28. www.postalheritage.org.uk BPMA, POST 122/10143
- 33. www.postalheritage.org.uk BPMA, Post 61/212 BPMA, Post 61/209
- 38. www.postalheritage.org.uk © National Library of Scotland
- 42. www.postalheritage.org.uk © National Library of Scotland
- 43. www.postalheritage.org.uk © National Library of Scotland
- 44. www.postalheritage.org.uk © National Library of Scotland
- 45. www.postalheritage.org.uk © National Library of Scotland
- 46. www.postalheritage.org.uk © National Library of Scotland
- 47. www.postalheritage.org.uk © National Library of Scotland
- 52. BPMA, 2011-0076, 1980s, Royal Mail maternity dress BPMA, Post 61/209, 1992 www.postalheritage.org.uk
Editor's Notes
- Thank you all for coming to Unstitching the Uniform. I’m going to share some stories with you about various uniforms held in the British Postal Museum and Archive collection, and discuss their significance. From the first postal uniform in 1784, to developments in uniform for women, and the creation of different uniforms for different ethnicities – we’ll unstitch the uniform and uncover underlying cultural concerns. I also hope to give you a glimpse at some of the wonderful uniforms in the BPMA collection, some of which haven’t been on public display for over a decade. Before we start, I’d just like to try something: there’s a piece of paper and pencil on your seat.. Could you write down two things which you were thinking about when you got dressed this morning. For instance, did you put on lucky pants because you’re going to buy a lottery ticket later did you put on a new shirt to look smart. I bought a new dress so I would fool you all into thinking I am fantastically sophisticated. If you could just write down a couple of points for the time being and keep hold of them. Thank you. The first Royal Mail uniform was issued in 1784 to mail coach guards. Prior to this, in the 1700s, buttons inscribed with ‘General Post Office’ were issued to the Captain and/or the crew of packet ships. In 1728 Joseph Godman, then the Secretary of the General Post Office, ordered all letter carriers to wear a brass ticket marked with the King’s Arms while on duty. 1784 marked the first garments issued to Royal Mail employees. But as you can see, prior to this there were attempts to mark out employees. So, what did the uniform look like? NEXT SLIDE.