Royal Mail Archive added to UNESCO Memory of the World register
The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) is pleased to announce that the BPMA held Royal Mail Archive has been added to the list of inscriptions on the UNESCO Memories of the World register.
The archive, covering the years 1636-1969, was described by UNESCO as giving a unique insight into the developments of communication within the UK and abroad. The social and personal impact that the postal service has had upon people across the country, as told through items such as postal maps and employment records, was also highlighted. Special reference was made to the BPMA’s incomparable collection of stamps and artwork, in particular the Penny Black and Tony Benn’s 1964 collaboration with David Gentleman to try to remove the Queen’s head from the stamp.
The Memory of the World Programme was established in 1992 with the vision that the world’s documentary heritage belongs to everyone, should be fully preserved and protected, and permanently accessible to all without hindrance. UNESCO believe that archive collections are filled with stories about people, places and events and that this globally-recognised status helps to raise awareness of some of the UK’s exceptional documentary riches.
There are now 50 entries on the UK register including Robert Hooke’s diary held by the London Metropolitan Archives, a selection of Shakespeare documents from The National Archives and the Museum of Bath’s Roman curse tablets. To view the UK register and see all the inscriptions visit: