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The Sailor's Post Office as Ascension was nicknamed
in the seventeenth century. This was due to passing
ships leaving letters for others, so that they may be
delivered. The eastern head of the Island is called
Letterbox, although no trace of the spot used to deposit
letters remains today.
Philatelically Ascension's history started on 3rd
March 1867, when the UK Postmaster General sent a supply
of stamps to the Island for the Island's postmaster.
mail was delivered and collected by the Union Castle
Steamship Company from 1863 through to 1922 the the Navy
pulled out of the Island.
the first full set of Ascension stamps were released
on 20th August 1924. The post offcie was in
teh early days run by wives of the Eastern Telegraph
Company, this arrangement continued for many years.
1966, saw the island expand with the arrival of
Ministry of Public Building and Works staff, BBC staff
and contractors, Ascension's also saw the arrival of an
Administrator, and Post Office staff from St Helena.
From this time, the Post Office has been run by seconded
staff who do nominal two-year tours.
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