EXETER POST OFFICE (1885)
High Street
Old postcard view with post office in centre
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Architect: Edward Rivers
Year: 1885 (1932 enlargement, architect Henry Seccombe) Archive sources British Postal Museum & Archive: Exeter Portfolio File (photographs) National Archives: WORK 69/5 (photograph) Selected bibliographical references Building News 13 Jun 1884, p. 931 Devon & Exeter Daily Gazette 24 Oct 1885, p. 2; 8 Oct 1931, p. 3 Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 13 Feb 1880, p. 6; 2 Apr 1885, p. 8; 16 Dec 1932, p 4 Western Times 8 Oct 1881, p. 3; 5 Jun 1884, p. 3; 13 Aug 1885, p. 3 History Opened: 26 Oct 1885 Destroyed by enemy action 2 May 1942 |
Building description
From: Devon & Exeter Daily Gazette 8 October 1931, p. 3
50 YEARS AGO—1881. The New Post Office for Exeter
We have authority for stating that the plans for the new Post Office in High-street are approaching completion; working drawings are being made and building operations will be commenced in the spring of the coming year. It will be built of stone probably of Portland, and standing between structures red brick, will present imposing appearance. The facade will be pleasingly picturesque on account of what architects call its "broken"' outlines. The eastern elevation will be two storeys high, the remainder three storeys, and the western end there will be an arcaded recess, under which the public can post letters without exposure to the weather. The ground floor will provide a spacious public office, Postmaster's office, and sorting office, a portion of the latter extending to the arcaded front. The first floor will contain the telegraphic instrument room, retiring rooms for members of the male and female staff, and sanitary offices for the telegraphist office alone. Above, on the second floor, the store-room and caretaker's apartments will be situated. The building will be warmed and ventilated throughout on improved principles, and it is believed that, while it will be an ornamental addition to the public edifices of the city, it will admirably adapted for the due and convenient performance of the ever-extending business of the Post Office. It is understood that the work of erection will occupy least 18 months, and that two years will elapse from lthe time of commencement before the new office will be ready for occupation. The original estimate for the building was £9,000, but the additions since made will probably increase the cost to £10,000. As legal difficulties connected with the acquisition of the site for the contemplated new office at Plymouth have not yet been settled, the Exeter office will doubt be begun and finished first, the Government having some months since completed the purchase of the Exeter site.
From: Western Mail 16 December 1932, p. 4
EXETER POST OFFICE. Extensions Opened by the Mayor ...
Millions of Letters Every Year. In the Exeter district 23,000,000 letters a year are posted and 26,030,000 delivered. In addition, something like 45,000,000 letters pass through Exeter Post Office each year for distribution all over Devon. Not much over 100 years ago the work of the Post Office was done by one woman in a little shop between Martins-lane and Broadgate. These were among many interesting facts brought to light on the occasion of the opening by the Mayor (Mr. Kenneth Gatey M.C.) the important extensions of the Post Office premises in High-street, Exeter. Enlargement has been secured by taking in a large portion of the mailing and sorting department. The counter extends practically the whole length of the building, parallel with the High-street frontage. Parcelling will conducted at the right-hand side the office instead of, formerly, the left, which is to be occupied by a series of telephone kiosks—those at present in use will replaced by structures more in keeping with the artistic timbering of the interior. Oak panelling - counter fronts, doors, etc. - has been introduced, and the counter tops are of Indian laurel. Bronze grilles, with white lettering on bronze indicators, have been substituted for the old brass netting and black lettering on white enamel indicators on the counters. The old flag stone flooring has been replaced an attractive vitreous mosaic work design, inlaid with the Lion and Unicorn, and is symbolic Exeter's loyalty to the Crown. Another tribute to the fidelity of the city is to be found in the arms which have been incorporated on the capitals the pillars supporting the roof. These escutcheons represent the Arms of Exeter, the Earl of Devon, the British Lion, and the Tudor Rose. A new and welcome addition to the furnishing of the office is the large oaken writing table, with oaken stools. This is available for customers' use. There is also to be provided a series of partitioned writing desks. The main entrance the inside has been equipped with a spacious vestibule having double swing glass panelled doors on either side. The whole of the interior walls, pillars, etc., have been treated with a harmonising colour scheme. The windows are of the leaded light type, and the artificial illumination is diffused. Improved posting arrangements have been provided, and the old mechanical time piece has been electrified synchronize with others in the building. The work has been carried out in efficient manner by Messrs. Ham and Passmore …, under the supervision of Mr. H.E. Seccombe, of the architects' department of the office of works. Mr. W. H. Bower has acted as clerk of works …
50 YEARS AGO—1881. The New Post Office for Exeter
We have authority for stating that the plans for the new Post Office in High-street are approaching completion; working drawings are being made and building operations will be commenced in the spring of the coming year. It will be built of stone probably of Portland, and standing between structures red brick, will present imposing appearance. The facade will be pleasingly picturesque on account of what architects call its "broken"' outlines. The eastern elevation will be two storeys high, the remainder three storeys, and the western end there will be an arcaded recess, under which the public can post letters without exposure to the weather. The ground floor will provide a spacious public office, Postmaster's office, and sorting office, a portion of the latter extending to the arcaded front. The first floor will contain the telegraphic instrument room, retiring rooms for members of the male and female staff, and sanitary offices for the telegraphist office alone. Above, on the second floor, the store-room and caretaker's apartments will be situated. The building will be warmed and ventilated throughout on improved principles, and it is believed that, while it will be an ornamental addition to the public edifices of the city, it will admirably adapted for the due and convenient performance of the ever-extending business of the Post Office. It is understood that the work of erection will occupy least 18 months, and that two years will elapse from lthe time of commencement before the new office will be ready for occupation. The original estimate for the building was £9,000, but the additions since made will probably increase the cost to £10,000. As legal difficulties connected with the acquisition of the site for the contemplated new office at Plymouth have not yet been settled, the Exeter office will doubt be begun and finished first, the Government having some months since completed the purchase of the Exeter site.
From: Western Mail 16 December 1932, p. 4
EXETER POST OFFICE. Extensions Opened by the Mayor ...
Millions of Letters Every Year. In the Exeter district 23,000,000 letters a year are posted and 26,030,000 delivered. In addition, something like 45,000,000 letters pass through Exeter Post Office each year for distribution all over Devon. Not much over 100 years ago the work of the Post Office was done by one woman in a little shop between Martins-lane and Broadgate. These were among many interesting facts brought to light on the occasion of the opening by the Mayor (Mr. Kenneth Gatey M.C.) the important extensions of the Post Office premises in High-street, Exeter. Enlargement has been secured by taking in a large portion of the mailing and sorting department. The counter extends practically the whole length of the building, parallel with the High-street frontage. Parcelling will conducted at the right-hand side the office instead of, formerly, the left, which is to be occupied by a series of telephone kiosks—those at present in use will replaced by structures more in keeping with the artistic timbering of the interior. Oak panelling - counter fronts, doors, etc. - has been introduced, and the counter tops are of Indian laurel. Bronze grilles, with white lettering on bronze indicators, have been substituted for the old brass netting and black lettering on white enamel indicators on the counters. The old flag stone flooring has been replaced an attractive vitreous mosaic work design, inlaid with the Lion and Unicorn, and is symbolic Exeter's loyalty to the Crown. Another tribute to the fidelity of the city is to be found in the arms which have been incorporated on the capitals the pillars supporting the roof. These escutcheons represent the Arms of Exeter, the Earl of Devon, the British Lion, and the Tudor Rose. A new and welcome addition to the furnishing of the office is the large oaken writing table, with oaken stools. This is available for customers' use. There is also to be provided a series of partitioned writing desks. The main entrance the inside has been equipped with a spacious vestibule having double swing glass panelled doors on either side. The whole of the interior walls, pillars, etc., have been treated with a harmonising colour scheme. The windows are of the leaded light type, and the artificial illumination is diffused. Improved posting arrangements have been provided, and the old mechanical time piece has been electrified synchronize with others in the building. The work has been carried out in efficient manner by Messrs. Ham and Passmore …, under the supervision of Mr. H.E. Seccombe, of the architects' department of the office of works. Mr. W. H. Bower has acted as clerk of works …
