Distribuição Domiciliária (1963) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

There are few stories as exciting as that of the post. Humankind’s ancient and constant need to exchange messages led to first kings and the states employing all of the resources within their reach to overcome distance.


The painting by José Pedro Roque Martins Barata.

Belongs to CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection.

Correio a Pé e a Cavalo (1962) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Pilgrims, squires, horse couriers, stagecoaches and traveling post offices were used successively over the centuries to deliver missives to their destinations.

The painting by José Pedro Roque Martins Barata.

Belongs to CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection.

Ambulâncias-Postais Ferroviárias (1967) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Artistic Heritage - Painting

The painting highlights 20th-century artworks by José Pedro Roque Martins Barata and Maria Keil. Belongs to CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection.

Correio Marítimo (1962) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Posta Rural (1963) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

A Mala-Posta (1973) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

This work represents four stages in the journey along the Lisbon-Porto Mail Coach route inaugurated in 1855. The route is shown on the map of Portugal, which highlights the coastline and identifies the changing stations.

Traveling by day.

The supper.

Changing horses.

Staying overnight.

Auto-Ambulâncias Postais (1967) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

At the same time, the postage stamp was invented and access to correspondence democratized through home delivery.

Correio Aéreo (1966) by José Pedro Roque Martins BarataFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

In the 20th century, through innovation, modernization, the creation of new services and the introduction of new technologies to the postal sector, the circulation of correspondence and goods became as fast and efficient as it is today.

Serviço Postal (Postal Service) (1942) by Maria Keil do AmaralFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

In the 1940s Maria Keil produced a number of panels on the theme of the carriage of mail to decorate the public area of the Funchal Central Post Office.

Transporte Aéreo - Avião (Air Mail by Plane) (1942) by Maria Keil do AmaralFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Transporte Aéreo - Hidroavião (Air Mail by Seaplane) (1942) by Maria Keil do AmaralFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Transporte Ferroviário (Travelling Post Office Service) (1942) by Maria Keil do AmaralFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Transporte Marítimo (Maritime Mail Service) (1942) by Maria Keil do AmaralFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Serviço Telegráfico e Telefónico (Telegraph and Telephone Service) (1942) by Maria Keil do AmaralFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Postal signpost schedule (Beginning of the 19th century) by unknownFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Postal Heritage

This group of 19th and 20th-century pieces is part of the CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection. Amongst them is a board with the mail collection times, a postal weighing scale by Lourenço de Araújo, a “Directorate of Mail” plaque, a " Directorate of Mail” box, a “1st District” letter box and a No. 824 pillar box.

Lourenço de Araújo Scale (1814 - 19th century) by Lourenço António de AraújoFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

"Directory of Post" Signpost, unknown, 1852 - 19th century, From the collection of: Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações
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“Mail Directory” Postal-Chest, Unknown, 1852 - 19th century, From the collection of: Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações
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“1st District” Post Box, Unknown, 1821 - 19th century, From the collection of: Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações
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Pillar Box No. 824 (1936 - 20th century) by UnknownFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

“Receive mail in the country” Rural Post Box, Unknown, 1879 - 19th century, From the collection of: Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações
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A Carta (1982) by Luís Filipe de AbreuFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Artistic
Heritage - Tapestry

The production of tapestries in Portalegre began in 1946 and was the product of the initiative of two friends, Guy Fino and Manuel Celestino Peixeiro, who wanted to revive the tradition of hand-stitched carpet making in the city. The CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection includes a tapestry produced by the Manufactura de Tapeçarias de Portalegre which closely interpreted the original cartoon by Luís Filipe de Abreu in 1982.

Mail Coach, English model (1854 - 19th century) by unknownFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Postal Patrimony -
Transportation

The regular carrying of post by mail coaches began in England in 1784. A regular mail service began in Portugal in 1798 when the Lisbon-Coimbra road was opened. Two models are shown from the CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection: an English mail coach and a French mail coach, both from the 19th century.

Mail Coach, French Model (1854 - 19th century) by unknownFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Cabinet-making Section of the Lisbon General Workshops (1934 - 20th century) by Francisco Santos CordeiroFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Heritage Documentary -
Photo

In the 1920s and 30s, Francisco Santos Cordeiro took outstanding photographs of communication facilities, equipment and services. Belongs to CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection.

Express mail bicycle delivery boy (1937 - 20th century) by Francisco Santos CordeiroFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Poster advertising the services provided by the Post Office (CTT) (1937 - 20th century) by Lima e HernâniFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

Heritage Documentary -
Poster

Advertising poster designed to encourage the use of the mail, telegraph and telephone services, as well as explore a commercial advertising service for the general public. Belongs to CTT Correios de Portugal/Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações collection.

Tap to explore

Take a look on exhibition Overcoming Distance: Five Centuries of Communications in Portugal

Central Post Office in Ponta Delgada (1957 - 20th century) by Foto LondresFundação Portuguesa das Comunicações

The history of the post is, after all, a history of successes and an excellent way to discover the history of the evolution of the world.

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