This original woodblock was carved by John Thompson as a design for pre-paid postal stationary known as Mulready envelopes and lettersheets. The design was commissioned from the Irish artist William Mulready and became valid for postage on 6 May 1840, at the same time as the Penny Black. The design of the 'Mulready' was considered so fanciful it was heavily ridiculed, and these particular pre-paid envelopes did not endure.a
1500s Sir Brian Tuke sets out Henry VIII plan for King’s Post (17 August 1533)
1900s 'Postman Pat Wind Up Walking Figure' (1984)
1900s The fan that led to a love affair (1907)
1700s Palmer Halfpenny coin – recognising the achievements of the mail coaches (18th century)
1900s Suffragettes being sent by express delivery (23 February 1909)
1800s One of the earliest known examples of writing in Latin by a woman (1st century AD), (British Museum, Romano-British Department)