Bruce Castle is a 16th century manor house in Tottenham, north London, named after the Scottish House of Bruce (of Robert the Bruce fame) who had earlier owned large parts of the manor of Tottenham. The building is Grade I listed and one of the oldest surviving English brick houses.

For much of the 19th century, the house operated as a progressive school for boys, with Rowland Hill, the postal reformer and originator of the Penny Black stamp, as its first headmaster. It became a museum in 1906, exploring the history of the areas now making up the London Borough of Haringey. Due to its association with Rowland Hill, it also has a terrific collection on postal history and the Royal Mail.

Some of the best illustrations show mail coaches, coachmen and post horses in the mid-19th century (including one of a lion attacking a coach horse!), while local history photos reveal Victorian families, WW2 child evacuation scenes and the Prince of Wales Hospital in the 1920s, amongst other topics. There's also a great set of photos of the postal service in countries from Cuba to Vietnam.

You can view a selection here and if you can't find what you're looking for, do get in touch with us on 020 8318 0034 or email pictures@maryevans.com and we'd be pleased to help.