The Human Letter
In 1898, a young man called W Reginald Bray started sending some ordinary and not-so-ordinary objects, correctly stamped and addressed, but without any protective covering through the post. Amongst the objects were a frying pan, a bicycle pump, a slipper, dolls, soap and ties. Among the less ordinary objects were a turnip with his name and address carved into it, and a rabbit’s skull. However, he didn’t stop there: on 8 February 1900, he presented himself at his local post office and demanded to be delivered to his home in accordance to Royal Mail regulations. He thus claimed to be the first person to exploit this little-known service, earning him the nick-name ‘The Human Letter’.
Bray being delivered home.
