A fascinating exploration of G.B. Registered Mail

We were delighted recently to welcome Steve Harrison, who entertained members with a tale of the development and uses of G.B. Registered mail.

The story started with the development of adhesive Registered Labels, which the U.K. were slow to introduce compared to some other members of the UPU, and moved from there into pre printed Registered envelopes which became commonplace in the early 1900s. The display then went through foreign registration labels added to U.K. mail onto the formal introduction of registration labels across the U.K. for almost every post office.

We saw how the registration labels were pressed into use in several circumstances, including fragile items sent from overseas, onto certificates of posting, receipts and jury summons.

The display closed with compulsory registration of certain items of mail and the assembled members viewed a wonderful collection that told the story of G.B. Registration labels.

Our secretary Carol Slater gave the vote of thanks on behalf of all members and photographs of the wonderful display are shown below. We would like to extend our thanks to Steve for travelling to Northwich to give this display.