A RARE Victorian envelope from the early days of the British postal service has been bought by the Friends of Southend Museum.

The letter, posted in Leigh in 1842, is now on display at Central Museum in Southend.

The 1842 envelope bears a printed one penny stamp, and is postmarked Leigh Penny Post on the reverse.

It was sent from Leigh to Rochford and then redirected to the Rectory at Southchurch. For this leg of its journey it acquired a Rochford postmark in the shape of a Maltese Cross.

Although various postal systems were being explored for more than 100 years before the date of this letter, it was only in 1840 that the Uniform Penny Post was approved.

For the first time, mail could be sent for the cost of a penny – regardless of the distance to be travelled – making it affordable. The first postage stamps, notably the famous Penny Black, and envelopes with printed stamps were introduced the same year.

Derek Jarvis, Southend councillor responsible for culture, said: “When this letter was posted in 1842, the sender would have had to take it to a post office, in this case Leigh.

“Pillar boxes were not invented for another ten years and even by 1855 there were only six, all in London. This is a rare example of early postal history, particularly interesting because of the local connection.

“We are extremely grateful to the Friends of Southend Museums for purchasing this fascinating item for the town. The envelope will be on display for the next three months in Southend Central Museum in Victoria Avenue, Southend.”

The letter cost £300.