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Title
Collection of Post Office Telegram and Telephone Papers
Reference
YA2005.92
Production date
01-01-1900 - 31-12-1989

Creator

General Post Office Biography Biography
The General Post Office was established in England in 1660 by Charles II. It grew to cover telecommunications as well as the postal system. The GPO was abolished in 1969 and the assets were transferred to The Post Office, changing it from a Department of State to a statutory corporation.
British Telecom Biography Biography
British Telecom (BT) is the name used by the world’s oldest telecommunications company between 1980 and 1984. The company's origins date back to the establishment of the first telecommunications companies in the United Kingdom. Among them was the first commercial telegraph service, the Electric Telegraph Company, introduced in 1846. As these companies amalgamated and were taken over or collapsed, the survivors were eventually transferred to state control under the Post Office. The telecommunications side of the organisation became known as Post Office Telecommunications. In 1980 the organisation was again renamed, becoming British Telecom. In 1982 the UK government announced its intention to privatise British Telecom. This decision was implemented on 6 August 1984, when the business became a privatised company, British Telecommunications plc - the forerunner of today’s global communications company, BT Group plc, which serves customers in 170 countries.

Scope and Content
The collection consists of material related to the Post Office's telegram service, including Post Office Greetings Telegram envelope (LXEG(a)), Post Office Telegram envelope (No. 198), Post Office International Telegraph Services envelope, "Coming of Age" card for placing a telegram in (LXF9), and a Post Office Telegram (Blank). The material relating to the telephones includes a Post Office Telephone Services "Temporarily Out Of Use" notice, copy photographic prints of Manchester's first telephone exchange (1878-1888) and other early telephone infrastructure, promotional booklets about Manchester's Automatic Exchange Service (1930), a photograph showing Manchester's Central Exchange (1900), promotional leaflets from Thomas A. Edison Ltd's Manchester office, and material aimed at customers using the telephone service. This includes public service advertising created in the postwar years aimed at managing demand for telephone services. There is also a booklet commemorating the centenary of telephone services in Preston, Lancashire.
Extent
1 envelope containing 28 items
Physical description
The collection is in a good condition, with some items being in a fair condition. The telegram material has areas of damage from adhesives and some minor paper tears. The collection features original black and white photographic prints, sizes 8 inch x 10 inch, 6 inch x 4 inch and copy black and white photographic prints, 6 inch x 8 inch, on photographic paper.
Language
English, French, German
Archival history
This collection was donated to the museum alongside Post Office telegram equipment in 2005 to support the objects donated for the Connected Earth gallery.
Level of description
TOP
Repository name
Science and Industry Museum
Subject
Communications
Telecommunications
Conditions governing access
Open access.
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions.

Related object

Notes and handbooks relating to wireless and telegraphy training Notes Notes
Training materials concerning wireless and telegram communication.
BT Connected Earth Collection Notes Notes
British Telecoms collection.
Manchester Telegraph and Automatic Exchange System Notes Notes
Photographic material about The Exchange Telegraph Co. Ltd.Notes Notes
Photographs principally relating to telegraphic equipment.
Material relating to the Wireless Telegraph Station in Cullercoats Notes Notes
Collection including photographs Cullercoats station, specimens of transmitting tape, and tape messages.
ABC Electric Telegraphic Code Notes Notes
Telegraphic code.
Papers relating to the work of Sir Henry Norman in wireless telegraphy Notes Notes
Henry Norman papers concerning telegraphy.
Collection of Telecoms Ephemera Notes Notes
Collection of Telecoms Ephemera, 1937 - 1957.
Albums documenting the laying of numerous submarine cables Notes Notes
Photograph albums showing laying telegraph cables.
Albums documenting the laying of the Trans-Pacific cables Notes Notes
Photograph albums showing laying telegraph cables.
Albums documenting the laying of submarine cables (German Atlantic Telegraph)Notes Notes
Photograph albums showing laying telegraph cables.
Albums documenting the laying of submarine cables (Sierra Leone-Ascension, Durban-Mauritius)Notes Notes
Photograph albums showing laying telegraph cables.

Related items
Y2005.92
Y2003.22