Eric Stemp: London General Post Office

Artist: Eric Stemp
1924 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 9 by 7.25 inches
Overall Size: 11 by 8 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

On September 23, 1829, the General Post Office moved from its cramped quarters on Lombard Street to a modern, pristine building located in St. Martin's le Grand. The new General Post Office had been designed by Sir Robert Smirke in the Grecian Ionic style. A thousand gas burners provided light for this magnificent structure which sprawled over the more than two acres which had previously been the site of nearly 130 houses. Like the old Lombard Street office, the new General Post Office building served both as a post office and as the center of administration. Also, like the Lombard Street building, the exquisite new structure included windows which opened onto public thoroughfares. Through these windows, passing customers could deposit their letters for dispatch. Soon after the structure was complete, it became one of the main attractions of London, and every evening, crowds gathered to witness the departure of the mail coaches. The coachmen and guards of the mail coaches commanded great respect and were obeyed by innkeepers, passengers, and horses. Their whips and horns became prized symbols of office. The horn was used by the guards to warn other travelers to yield the right of way and to announce the mail's imminent arrival. Except at relay stations, mails were taken on and discharged without stopping. One night the sleepy wife of a postmaster threw her packet to the guard, only to find in the morning that she had thrown her husband's trousers instead of the mail.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Great Britain Miniature Sheet for London 1980 issued October 24, 1979.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05361

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