York Post Office
22 Lendal
Photographs © Julian Osley
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Architect: Henry Tanner
Year: 1884 (c.1902 extension, architect William Oldrieve) Listed building status: Grade II Archive sources National Archives: WORK 13/97 (extension) Selected bibliographical references York Herald 22 Dec 1883, p. 17 (illustration); 14 May 1884, p. 3; 12 Jul 1884, p. 13; 24 Dec 1884, p. 6 Yorkshire Gazette 13 Jun 1884, p. 4; 24 Dec 1884, p. 5 |
Building description
From: York Herald, 12 July 1884, p. 13
There certainly is no public institution In which all persons are more interested than in the Post-office of the city or district in which they reside. Everybody feels a personal interest in these buildings, and in the manner in which the postal business is conducted. Six or seven weeks ago we published a description of the new premises which have been erected in Lendal on the site adjoining the old Post-office, and now that the officials have taken possession of the building, we feel assured that a description of the interior arrangements will prove interesting, That the increased business required more commodious premises than the old office in Lendal afforded no person acquainted with the business done in this city will doubt for one moment, Since the appointment of Mr. Stevenson, the courteous and obliging Postmaster, six years ago, the postal facilities provided for the public have been at least doubled. No public agitation has ever been necessary to induce the authorities at York to provide sufficient accommodation. Indeed the increased facilities have been from time to time voluntarily granted, and the public have fully appreciated the kind consideration shown for their convenience ... Now that the hoarding has been removed, the building can be seen to much greater advantage than formerly, though the narrowness of the street detracts somewhat from its general appearance. But notwithstanding that drawback there can be no doubt that when the building is completed by the erection of new premises on the site of the old post-office its architectural features, which are of the Tudor style, will add greatly to the appearance of the district. The building, so to speak, consists of three sections, the middle portion being occupied by the sorting room on the ground floor, and the telegraph room on the first storey, while the right hand section consists chiefly of the parcels post office on the ground floor, and letter carriers' room above. The section on the left side comprises the public post-office, with rooms for the chief clerk, telegraph inspector, and others, on the first floor, the upper storey being used chiefly as store rooms. About ten days ago Mr. Stephenson, the postmaster, removed his office into the new premises. The apartment which he occupies is situate on the ground floor at the back of the left section of the building, and is so arranged tbat he can obtain access to all parts of the premises. The strong room is entered from Mr. Stephenson's office. The postmaster's desk is fitted up with an electric bell, which communicates with the sorting office, and a speaking tube, by which means he can converse with the chief clerk. The public entrance to the building is by a vestibule in the left section. Facing the visitor on entering is a door on which will be painted the significant word "enquire," while on the right of the vestibule is a large handsome door leading into the public office. The upper portion of this door, which has a semi-circular top, is glazed, and upon the lower portion of the glass will be painted instructions for the public, and referring to the particular business door conducted in the different parts of that office, If the inquirer passes through the door opposite the entrance be will find other directions instructing him to proceed upstairs, where be will be received by the obliging chief clerk, and, if necessary, he will also find easy access to the postmaster himself. The public office is a commodious room measuring 30 feet long by 26 feet wide, lighted by three windows, and divided trom the sorters' room by a wood partition, the upper portion of which is glazed with opaque glass. Down the middle of this office is placed an L-shaped mahogany counter. On the left of the entrance is what may be termed the lower portion of the counter, where the money order, and Savings Bank business will be transacted. The portion of the counter which runs parallel with Lendal will be reserved for the sale of stamps, the issue of licences, the delivery of private box letters, and the reception of parcels which are to be transmitted by post. On the right of the entrance are erected eight small compartments for the accommodation of persons who wish to write telegrams. Here, as usual, are telegram forms and pencils, and after the message has been written it will be received at a small window in the partition dividing the office from the sorters' room. At an adjoining window letters may be registered, and there " strangers'" letters, those addressed to the office to be called for, will be delivered. The "Registrar" will occupy a small portion of the sorting room, which is partitioned off as a private office, and at several periods during the day will deliver the registered letters to the despatching clerk, who is responsible for their safety. In a corner of this private apartment is a pneumatic tube, by which telegrams will be conveyed to the instrument room, and thence transmitted to their destination. On the private side of the counter, and forming part of the partition which divides the public office from the sorters' room, are erected the private letter boxes. At present only sixty are provided, but the number can be doubled whenever necessary. The boxes are open at both ends so that the sorters in going through the letters can place those addressed to the various persons in the boxes to which their names are attached. While the sorting is going on a strong blind will be drawn over the opposite end of the boxes thus preventing the letters from passing through, and at the same time preventing the public from seeing what is going on in the sorters' room. At the time appointed for the delivery of these letters a blind will be drawn down on the private side of the boxes, and another one will be drawn up, and thus the clerks will have access to the letters and deliver them with ease to the callers, who have but to name the number of the box rented by their employers and receive the letters. The sorting room, which forms the centre of the building at present, measures 45 feet long by 26 feet wide, but when the building is completed it will extend further along Lendal, and will be indeed a most commodious apartment, at least 75 feet long. This room at present is lighted by five large windows on each side, the top portions of which are so arranged that they can be opened by falling several inches inwards, and thus form excellent ventilators. The sorting tables are placed across the room, between the windows, so that they do not obstruct the light. The mall bags brought from the railway station, or from the branch offices, will be taken into this room by an entrance on the extreme right near to the old post-office. Three tables are provided on each side of this room, and upon these the contents of the bags will be emptied, care being taken by each sorter that the letters from one mail bag are not allowed to mix with those on the adjoining table. Here the first stage of the sorting takes place, and all newspapers are placed in baskets which are provided, and placed under the tables, and the letters are taken to the stamping tables, and after the stamps have been defaced they are handed to the sorters. Near to these tables is the newspaper sorters' table, which measures 17ft. long by of 5ft. wide. Down the middle are the pigeon holes for the reception of the newspapers as they are sorted, Some idea may be formed of the size of this piece of furniture when it is stated that there are 200 pigeon holes, 100 on each side of it, and six sorters will be constantly employed in this newspaper department. Other four tables are provided for the letter sorting. Two of them measure 18 feet long by 4 feet wide, and provide accommodation for ten sorters each, but the other two, which are placed at the extreme ends of the room are of smaller dimensions, and provide accommodation for six men at each. Between these tables are placed iron frames fitted with hooks, from which will be suspended the mail bags, and in these the "forward" letters will be deposited. Each of the discharge tables is provided with a movable seat so that when the sorter, who of course always stands to his work, has "sorted up" his letters he can turn the seat from under the table and make himself comfortable until another supply of letters is handed to him, and then he can with the greatest ease again turn the seat below the table, and proceed with his sorting. Extending along the sides of the room, from the tables upon which the "incoming" letters are emptied out of the mail bags to the other end of this apartment are seven stamping tables — four on one side and three on the other — each six feet long and two feet broad. The fourth space on the side of the room on which these are placed is filled up with the Superintendent's desk, from which he can at a glance survey the whole office. Along the front of these tables is placed a stone slab about a foot in width, and upon this is laid a thick covering of India rubber, upon which the stamping takes place. The advantage of this arrangement will be at once apparent. There is not only a firm table for stamping purposes, but the pliable nature of the India rubber allows the stamp to make a more perfect impression than could otherwise be obtained with the same rapidity, while it also protects the stamp from being damaged by coming into immediate contact with the harder surface. Each of the eight stampers is supplied with a private drawer below his table where he keeps his own stamp. No one has access to that, drawer but himself, as each stamp differs in some degree from the others in use. If any error should be made the postal authorities can thus readily ascertain who is to blame. The boxes in Lendal for the reception of letters and newspapers posted at the chief office by the inhabitants of the city are situate in the centre of the front of this room. The boxes are placed below the middle window, the upper portion of which is filled with stone in keeping with the general dressing of the building. The clock from the old office is placed in the centre of this stone work, which is very tastefully ornamented. Above the dial of the clock is carved the Crown, while on each side are carved stone shields, which bear the letters "V.R." Below the shields and the clock are the words, "Post-office, 1884," and as all the space in the design is filled up with ornamental carving it forms a very pleasing feature in the appearance of the new premises ... The architect is Mr. Henry Tanner, of Albion-row, Leeds ; and the contractors, Messrs. Wm. Ives and Co., of Shipley. The newly erected premises will not only be more convenient for the public but they will also be much healthier and more comfortable for those officials whose public duty compels them to spend so much time upon the premises.
There certainly is no public institution In which all persons are more interested than in the Post-office of the city or district in which they reside. Everybody feels a personal interest in these buildings, and in the manner in which the postal business is conducted. Six or seven weeks ago we published a description of the new premises which have been erected in Lendal on the site adjoining the old Post-office, and now that the officials have taken possession of the building, we feel assured that a description of the interior arrangements will prove interesting, That the increased business required more commodious premises than the old office in Lendal afforded no person acquainted with the business done in this city will doubt for one moment, Since the appointment of Mr. Stevenson, the courteous and obliging Postmaster, six years ago, the postal facilities provided for the public have been at least doubled. No public agitation has ever been necessary to induce the authorities at York to provide sufficient accommodation. Indeed the increased facilities have been from time to time voluntarily granted, and the public have fully appreciated the kind consideration shown for their convenience ... Now that the hoarding has been removed, the building can be seen to much greater advantage than formerly, though the narrowness of the street detracts somewhat from its general appearance. But notwithstanding that drawback there can be no doubt that when the building is completed by the erection of new premises on the site of the old post-office its architectural features, which are of the Tudor style, will add greatly to the appearance of the district. The building, so to speak, consists of three sections, the middle portion being occupied by the sorting room on the ground floor, and the telegraph room on the first storey, while the right hand section consists chiefly of the parcels post office on the ground floor, and letter carriers' room above. The section on the left side comprises the public post-office, with rooms for the chief clerk, telegraph inspector, and others, on the first floor, the upper storey being used chiefly as store rooms. About ten days ago Mr. Stephenson, the postmaster, removed his office into the new premises. The apartment which he occupies is situate on the ground floor at the back of the left section of the building, and is so arranged tbat he can obtain access to all parts of the premises. The strong room is entered from Mr. Stephenson's office. The postmaster's desk is fitted up with an electric bell, which communicates with the sorting office, and a speaking tube, by which means he can converse with the chief clerk. The public entrance to the building is by a vestibule in the left section. Facing the visitor on entering is a door on which will be painted the significant word "enquire," while on the right of the vestibule is a large handsome door leading into the public office. The upper portion of this door, which has a semi-circular top, is glazed, and upon the lower portion of the glass will be painted instructions for the public, and referring to the particular business door conducted in the different parts of that office, If the inquirer passes through the door opposite the entrance be will find other directions instructing him to proceed upstairs, where be will be received by the obliging chief clerk, and, if necessary, he will also find easy access to the postmaster himself. The public office is a commodious room measuring 30 feet long by 26 feet wide, lighted by three windows, and divided trom the sorters' room by a wood partition, the upper portion of which is glazed with opaque glass. Down the middle of this office is placed an L-shaped mahogany counter. On the left of the entrance is what may be termed the lower portion of the counter, where the money order, and Savings Bank business will be transacted. The portion of the counter which runs parallel with Lendal will be reserved for the sale of stamps, the issue of licences, the delivery of private box letters, and the reception of parcels which are to be transmitted by post. On the right of the entrance are erected eight small compartments for the accommodation of persons who wish to write telegrams. Here, as usual, are telegram forms and pencils, and after the message has been written it will be received at a small window in the partition dividing the office from the sorters' room. At an adjoining window letters may be registered, and there " strangers'" letters, those addressed to the office to be called for, will be delivered. The "Registrar" will occupy a small portion of the sorting room, which is partitioned off as a private office, and at several periods during the day will deliver the registered letters to the despatching clerk, who is responsible for their safety. In a corner of this private apartment is a pneumatic tube, by which telegrams will be conveyed to the instrument room, and thence transmitted to their destination. On the private side of the counter, and forming part of the partition which divides the public office from the sorters' room, are erected the private letter boxes. At present only sixty are provided, but the number can be doubled whenever necessary. The boxes are open at both ends so that the sorters in going through the letters can place those addressed to the various persons in the boxes to which their names are attached. While the sorting is going on a strong blind will be drawn over the opposite end of the boxes thus preventing the letters from passing through, and at the same time preventing the public from seeing what is going on in the sorters' room. At the time appointed for the delivery of these letters a blind will be drawn down on the private side of the boxes, and another one will be drawn up, and thus the clerks will have access to the letters and deliver them with ease to the callers, who have but to name the number of the box rented by their employers and receive the letters. The sorting room, which forms the centre of the building at present, measures 45 feet long by 26 feet wide, but when the building is completed it will extend further along Lendal, and will be indeed a most commodious apartment, at least 75 feet long. This room at present is lighted by five large windows on each side, the top portions of which are so arranged that they can be opened by falling several inches inwards, and thus form excellent ventilators. The sorting tables are placed across the room, between the windows, so that they do not obstruct the light. The mall bags brought from the railway station, or from the branch offices, will be taken into this room by an entrance on the extreme right near to the old post-office. Three tables are provided on each side of this room, and upon these the contents of the bags will be emptied, care being taken by each sorter that the letters from one mail bag are not allowed to mix with those on the adjoining table. Here the first stage of the sorting takes place, and all newspapers are placed in baskets which are provided, and placed under the tables, and the letters are taken to the stamping tables, and after the stamps have been defaced they are handed to the sorters. Near to these tables is the newspaper sorters' table, which measures 17ft. long by of 5ft. wide. Down the middle are the pigeon holes for the reception of the newspapers as they are sorted, Some idea may be formed of the size of this piece of furniture when it is stated that there are 200 pigeon holes, 100 on each side of it, and six sorters will be constantly employed in this newspaper department. Other four tables are provided for the letter sorting. Two of them measure 18 feet long by 4 feet wide, and provide accommodation for ten sorters each, but the other two, which are placed at the extreme ends of the room are of smaller dimensions, and provide accommodation for six men at each. Between these tables are placed iron frames fitted with hooks, from which will be suspended the mail bags, and in these the "forward" letters will be deposited. Each of the discharge tables is provided with a movable seat so that when the sorter, who of course always stands to his work, has "sorted up" his letters he can turn the seat from under the table and make himself comfortable until another supply of letters is handed to him, and then he can with the greatest ease again turn the seat below the table, and proceed with his sorting. Extending along the sides of the room, from the tables upon which the "incoming" letters are emptied out of the mail bags to the other end of this apartment are seven stamping tables — four on one side and three on the other — each six feet long and two feet broad. The fourth space on the side of the room on which these are placed is filled up with the Superintendent's desk, from which he can at a glance survey the whole office. Along the front of these tables is placed a stone slab about a foot in width, and upon this is laid a thick covering of India rubber, upon which the stamping takes place. The advantage of this arrangement will be at once apparent. There is not only a firm table for stamping purposes, but the pliable nature of the India rubber allows the stamp to make a more perfect impression than could otherwise be obtained with the same rapidity, while it also protects the stamp from being damaged by coming into immediate contact with the harder surface. Each of the eight stampers is supplied with a private drawer below his table where he keeps his own stamp. No one has access to that, drawer but himself, as each stamp differs in some degree from the others in use. If any error should be made the postal authorities can thus readily ascertain who is to blame. The boxes in Lendal for the reception of letters and newspapers posted at the chief office by the inhabitants of the city are situate in the centre of the front of this room. The boxes are placed below the middle window, the upper portion of which is filled with stone in keeping with the general dressing of the building. The clock from the old office is placed in the centre of this stone work, which is very tastefully ornamented. Above the dial of the clock is carved the Crown, while on each side are carved stone shields, which bear the letters "V.R." Below the shields and the clock are the words, "Post-office, 1884," and as all the space in the design is filled up with ornamental carving it forms a very pleasing feature in the appearance of the new premises ... The architect is Mr. Henry Tanner, of Albion-row, Leeds ; and the contractors, Messrs. Wm. Ives and Co., of Shipley. The newly erected premises will not only be more convenient for the public but they will also be much healthier and more comfortable for those officials whose public duty compels them to spend so much time upon the premises.