This article was originally published in the “Daily Telegraph” (UK), August 4, 1911. I have read a number of articles on these early experimental aerial flights but this one is interesting because it notes the use of “aerial” post boxes located in London department stores and firms. Quite an innovation! It certainly pays to go to primary sources.

An experiment in the utilisation of aeroplanes in the postal service of the country is likely to be undertaken in the very near future by the General Post Office. The proposal is to establish a regular aerial service for a limited period between London and Windsor.

At the General Post Office, yesterday, a Press representative was informed that officially nothing could be said about the scheme. Many details had still to be settled.

Negotiations were now proceeding with a well-known aviator for the supply of suitable machines. On the result of these negotiations depended whether the experiment was carried out or not.

The scheme owes its inception it is learned, to the enterprise of a few gentlemen in London interested in aviation. They had a threefold object in view: to demonstrate the utility of the aeroplane; and to benefit certain charities. The last-named object was to be achieved by issuing special postcards and envelopes for the aerial service at 6d. and 1s. each respectively. All takings in excess of working expenses could then be divided among the selected institutions. To carry this scheme into effect the authority of the Postmaster General had to be obtained. Mr. Herbert Samuel was approached, and he not only gave his consent, but also readily agreed to co-operate. Certain details were then determined upon. The aerodromes at Hendon and Windsor Park were selected as the points to be connected by the service.

Postmaster General, Herbert Samuel

How far the scheme has progressed may be gauged from the fact that arrangements have been made with large West End stores, and other firms, for the fixing in their establishments of special “aerial” letter boxes, in which letters intended for the aerial service must be posted. Daily clearances will be made by postmen, and the collections will be despatched to the central clearing house. Here the letters will be placed in sealed bags, and conveyed by motor van to Hendon. At the aerodrome they will pass from the direct control of the postal officials into the hands of the aeroplane staff. The bags will be securely fixed to the machines, and the aviators will then start on the journey to Windsor, covering the distance of twenty-one miles in, it is estimated, half an hour.

Of course the number of machines engaged in the service will depend upon the bulk of the deliveries. At Windsor the aeroplane staff will be responsible for the conveyance by road of all the letters to the town post office. They will then be dealt with in the usual way, those intended for local residents being delivered by postmen on their next round, and those destined for any other part of the country, or the world, being dealt with in the usual way, as if they have been posted originally in Windsor.

There will be no special stamp issued for the service, but each stamp will be obliterated in the usual way that will clearly indicate that it has passed through the “aerial” post.