ARCHIVE SOURCES
For the historian the fact that the design of the buildings was the responsibility of the Office of Works and its successors is of some advantage, in that a fair proportion of the documentation (in the form of drawings, bills of quantities and contracts) has been deposited in the National Archives, (WORK 13 and 30), although coverage of the early years of the Office of Works' involvement is poor, and there are no records relating to the post-war period.
WORK 69/5 and 69/6 are albums of photographs illustrating post office, sorting office and court buildings around Great Britain presumably designed within the Office of Works. Some of the photographs have unfortunately been removed: of those remaining there are a few instances where the name of the architect responsible for the building has been recorded on the verso of the photograph.
Some drawings have also found their way to the British Postal Museum and Archive (POST CLASS 91), where also may be found photographs (the Portfolio files are a particularly rich source), and extensive administrative files relating to the Post Office's responsibity for the fitting-out of premises designed by the architects in the aforementioned government departments.
A wealth of information about post office buildings (descriptions, reports of opening ceremonies) is to be found in the local press. The online British Newspaper Archive is an invaluable resource, although, at present, its coverage is patchy.
Sources of information for further study
British Architectural Library
Royal Institute of British Archives
66 Portland Place
London
W1 1AD
British Postal Museum and Archive
Freeling House
Phoenix Place
London
WC1X 0DL
POST class references
Post Office Circulars
Smith, Ken. County-by-county guide to British post offices
Historic England Archive
The Engine House
Fire Fly Avenue
Swindon
SN2 2EH
National Archives
Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 4DU
WORK 69/5 and 69/6 are albums of photographs illustrating post office, sorting office and court buildings around Great Britain presumably designed within the Office of Works. Some of the photographs have unfortunately been removed: of those remaining there are a few instances where the name of the architect responsible for the building has been recorded on the verso of the photograph.
Some drawings have also found their way to the British Postal Museum and Archive (POST CLASS 91), where also may be found photographs (the Portfolio files are a particularly rich source), and extensive administrative files relating to the Post Office's responsibity for the fitting-out of premises designed by the architects in the aforementioned government departments.
A wealth of information about post office buildings (descriptions, reports of opening ceremonies) is to be found in the local press. The online British Newspaper Archive is an invaluable resource, although, at present, its coverage is patchy.
Sources of information for further study
British Architectural Library
Royal Institute of British Archives
66 Portland Place
London
W1 1AD
British Postal Museum and Archive
Freeling House
Phoenix Place
London
WC1X 0DL
POST class references
- 91/119 HM Office of Works approved colour schemes for interior work (1939)
- 91/220-222 Working Party on Design and Layout of Public Offices reports (1956-1958)
- 91/224 Working Party on Public Offices: Post Office public offices (1937-1954)
- 91/225 The Public office: Some notes on design and layout (1954)
- 91/226 General Post Office [GPO] photographs of various head and branch post offices (c.1950)
- 91/227 Photographs of various post office public offices, and fixtures and fittings (c.1960)
- 91/590 Proposals for updating post office exteriors (c.1990)
Post Office Circulars
Smith, Ken. County-by-county guide to British post offices
Historic England Archive
The Engine House
Fire Fly Avenue
Swindon
SN2 2EH
National Archives
Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 4DU
