Uniform Penny Post

It was on 10th January 1840 that Roland Hill's efforts finally resulted in a uniform penny postal system throughout the United Kingdom. Prior to that there had however been various local penny post systems, most notably in London and Edinburgh. For a very short period prior to 10th January 1840 there had been a universal four penny post.

 

The Penny Post was undoubtedly a boon to businesses and private individuals alike. No longer were people within the realm having to pay postage charges based not just on weight, but also on delivery distance. Colby's Survey sets out the postal rates which Parliament had determined during the reign of George IV.(Postage Act 1827).

Distances in Irish Miles. Rates of Postage

0. - 7. 2d

7. - 15. 3d

15 - 25. 4d

25 - 35. 5d

35 - 45. 6d

45 - 55. 7d

55 - 65. 8d

65 - 95. 9d

95 - 120. 10d

120 - 150. 11d

150 - 200. 1s

200 - 250. 1s 1d

250. - 300. 1s 2d

(Every additional 100 miles a further sum of 1d).

 

It is reported that in 1832 the mail took nineteen hours for mail to travel from Dublin to Londonderry.