This item is an early proof example of the first pre-paid postage envelope issued anywhere in the world and pre-dates by two years the invention of adhesive postage stamps.

Postal reform was one of the many humanitarian reforms considered by the politicians of Great Britain in the 1830s. Rowland Hill (1795-1879) was the father of postal reform and his main idea was that payment for posting a letter should be done at the time of posting rather than delivery. The adhesive postage stamp as we know it was to be the receipt for this prepayment and was first used in Great Britain in 1840.

Hill wrote many pamphlets during the 1830s outlining his ideas and one of these reached the desk of James Raymond, Postmaster-General of the colony of New South Wales. Raymond simply used the great seal of the Sydney post office instead of an adhesive stamp and issued lettersheets and envelopes in 1838. The public initially paid 1=d each or 1/3d per dozen for them but there was no indication of this in the design. They were valid for use within the town post of Sydney only.

This example is significant because the paper bears a watermark of the year "1838" and it is known to have been the archival copy for the envelope which was sent to the Governor of New South Wales for approval. (A similarly watermarked 1838 lettersheet also exists).

The Australia Post New South Wales historical collection in the Powerhouse Museum also contains an oval shaped hand embossing implement of this design.

Richard Peck, Curator Philately, 2001

Envelope with Sydney GPO seal, paper, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1838

A small envelope embossed with the Sydney General Post Office seal. The seal consists of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, a lion and a unicorn on either side of a crowned shield, enclosed in a circular border. There is text within the border. The envelope is watermarked with the year '1838'. The envelope has been unfolded and the seal appears twice on the envelope. Once on the centre front and once on the rear flap of the envelope.

The seal was produced by the General Post Office, Sydney New South Wales in 1838.

Gift of Peck, R C, Mr, 1985

Text below the coat of arms reads 'SYDNEY'. Text inside the circular border of the seal reads 'GENERAL POST OFFICE / NEW SOUTH WALES'. The envelope is watermarked 'EHC 1838'.

85/1076

1838

167 mm

275 mm