Lot 247
Postal Interest - Williamson, Peter & Edinburgh's Penny Post
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photography
Auction: 11 January 2017 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Williamson's Directory for the City of Edinburgh, Canongate, Leith and Suburbs, from June, 1784, to June, 1785. Edinburgh: Printed for P. Williamson and sold at his General Penny-Post Office, 1784. 12mo, comprising 120pp. (some leaves misbound) in original blue printed wrappers, in custom-made slipcase, wrappers a little foxed with some chipping
Footnote
Note: Between 1773 and 1774, Peter Williamson founded Edinburgh's Penny Post system. His uniformed postmen numbered four, however they would be dressed in uniforms reading '1', '4', '8', and '16', in an attempt to make the business seem larger than it actually was. The wrappers of this small volume explain the process of the Penny Post, and list the businesses acting as stations, or post offices, for mail. This volume, dated 1785, is not listed by the ESTC on their website.