Those late-20th century replica Penfold boxes are a fabulous touch by Royal Mail. I discovered the backstory by chance:
I wanted to photograph Haslemere's dark green Penfold box - its designer, John Wornham Penfold, was born there. Then I noticed the base plaque - and it surprised me to learn the box was of recent construction.
Royal Mail's decision to revive the design was driven by:
Heritage and Conservation
By the 1980s, a growing movement toward "heritage" tourism and for the preservation of historic townscapes. The replicas allowed Royal Mail to match heritage architecture, whilst also providing a modern postal capacity.
Backlash Against Modern Designs
In 1980, Royal Mail introduced the Type K "cigar-shape" pillar box design. However, it was widely disliked by the public who felt it lacked the character of traditional cast-iron boxes. The Penfold replicas were, in part, a strategic "pivot" backward.
Commemoration and Anniversaries
Several replicas for specific historical links. Two examples:
- Haslemere's box, I mention above;
- Carlisle (in 1989) to commemorate the first mainland pillar box (originally installed in 1853).
Fun fact...
How to tell if a Penfold box is a replica, or an original:
The Aperture (Letter Slot): in many original Penfolds, the slot was high up (under the cap). On replicas, slot is placed lower down and is often wider.
The Foundry Mark: originals were cast by Cochrane, Grove & Co. Replica boxes typically cast by Machan Engineering.
The Paint and Surface: Replicas often have a much "cleaner" finish with fewer layers of thick, caked-on paint.
Post 3's Penfold (Gosport), is original (1872).
(1) 
(2)
That's the first Type K topper I've seen. Hampshire's and West Sussex's type K boxes are "bald"!
