Post your Post Boxes! (Photos and fun facts)

[Mcr Warrior]

I wonder when "the universal introduction of pillar letter boxes in country districts" was completed, and what other receptacles had been used as post boxes in rural areas.

Not sure there would have been. As regards your second query, prior to the gradual introduction of 'wayside letter receiving pillars' (i.e. post boxes) from the mid 1850s onwards, folk wanting to make use of the post, would, I think have simply taken the items they needed sending down to the nearest letter receiving house, which, if not an actual Post Office, was likely to be the local pub.

 

[Hadders]

What was the purpose of the arm on top - were there originally two arms? I can remember seeing these back in the 1960s, but if I knew what they were for I've since forgotten.

The bracket held a sign pointing to a nearby post office.

 

[Sun Chariot]

The bracket held a sign pointing to a nearby post office.

Indeed - examples linked in post 205.

 

[WesternLancer]

I knew I'd seen one near me with the original sign on it - even if a bit the worse for wear sadly. Called in to send some stuff and remembered to take some pics to post here

This is in a conservation area and AFAIK this shop was always the post office - so I'm not sure how vital the arrow sign actually was in this case - but it's nice to see it - a shame the enamel has been cracked presumably by someone who attempted to vandalise the sign at some point. It's been like this for as long as I can recall - damage wise - so at least 15 to 20 years I think.

Images orientate correctly when opened - I hope

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Also I saw this small one attached to a telegraph pole in Monyash the other day (Peak District) - heavily encrusted with many coats of paint + moss / algae - it looked unusual to me and fairly old. Anyone offer more info on type /age etc?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Two excellent "finds" @WesternLancer

The sign atop that Edward VII (1905 to 1910) pillar box: that's had a hard life! I wonder if it was sourced from another post box, as the rest of that pillar box looks in a better condition.

That King George VI lamp-box is very interesting. Designed in 1940, it was manufactured by W.T. Allen Ltd (they made other types of post boxes, too).
However, that "1940 pattern" lamp-box was principally made between only 1949 and 1952 - due to material shortages for items not directly contributing to the War effort.

 

[weepingwillowb]

Great photos @WesternLancer , thank you for posting them.

Here are two different types of King George V letter boxes I saw on a walk I did today, north side of Morecambe Bay..

First one is next to what used to be Kents Bank Post Office (closed 2016, now ccalled Post Cottage)



Second one is in Allithwaite, the next village to Kents Bank.

 

[WesternLancer]

Great photos @WesternLancer , thank you for posting them.

Here are two different types of King George V letter boxes I saw on a walk I did today, north side of Morecambe Bay..

First one is next to what used to be Kents Bank Post Office (closed 2016, now ccalled Post Cottage)

View attachment 201556View attachment 201557

Second one is in Allithwaite, the next village to Kents Bank.

View attachment 201558View attachment 201559

Nicely located in rather nice walls!

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Two excellent "finds" @WesternLancer

Thanks @Sun Chariot

The sign atop that Edward VII (1905 to 1910) pillar box: that's had a hard life! I wonder if it was sourced from another post box, as the rest of that pillar box looks in a better condition.

I reckon you are right - the housing estate it is located on was built c1925 on greenfield land I believe so if the pillar box is older it must have been moved. I didn't spot the royal monograph - I was focussed on the enamel sign.

That King George VI lamp-bix is very interesting. Designed in 1940, it was manufactured by W.T. Allen Ltd (they made other types of post boxes, too).
However, that "1940 pattern" lamp-box was principally made between only 1949 and 1952 - due to material shortages for items not directly contributing to the War effort.

Really interesting to read this - explains why it is not a design I have much seen. Needs RM to give it some TLC given it's in a National Park too.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Wonderful locations @weepingwillowb and you've had better weather than we did on the Hampshire / West Sussex coast!

That first wall-box is from George VI: the cursive script and a small VI between the G and R. It's very similar to the GVI wall-box in Post 1.

The George V wall-box is interesting, due to its cypher being above the posting aperture. That's something I've only seen on Ludlow design wall-boxes and large-capacity wall-boxes.

 

[weepingwillowb]

@Sun Chariot Thanks for the correction.

Yes, it was a lovely day round the Morecambe Bay area, and nice to be able to use Kents Bank station for the first time.

 

[Sun Chariot]

A spot of south coast sunshine, so a brief dash out for two boxes I've had in mind:
- This Victorian wall box is of an identical design to Bosham's (post 1). Spring light made Bordean's box rather irresistible!
- This George VI pillar box has a keyhole and escutcheon cast on a higher spot on the door. I have only seen one other thus. No obvious markings for the metal-founders.

 

[WesternLancer]

A spot of south coast sunshine, so a brief dash out for two boxes I've had in mind:
- This Victorian wall box is of an identical design to Bosham's VR box on post 1. The spring light made Bordean's box rather irresistible, though!
- This George VI pillar box has its keyhole and escutcheon on a higher spot on the door, than all other Type B GVI boxes I've seen. No founder-markings visible.

both nice images there of interesting boxes that look in pretty good condition too

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks W.L.

Post boxes in West Sussex + East Hampshire's coast and South Downs area, are generally kept respectable; even if some (i.e. post 9) merely get a lick of red paint over their corrosion!

 

[weepingwillowb]

Two Victorian letter boxes in Ambleside, seen today. The first is on Sweden Bridge Road, almost at the edge of town, and looking a bit battered, while the second is at the end of Kirkstone Road.

​

 

[Sun Chariot]

Wonderfully worn wall-boxes, @weepingwillowb and that first one looks as if someone took a jemmy to it!
Both of these seem of an identical style and founder, as your post 201 example in Thornton-in-Lonsdale.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[WesternLancer]

Two Victorian letter boxes in Ambleside, seen today. The first is on Sweden Bridge Road, almost at the edge of town, and looking a bit battered, while the second is at the end of Kirkstone Road.

View attachment 202448
View attachment 202449

View attachment 202451​

Good to see. What would have been in the edged panel below the letter slot?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Good to see. What would have been in the edged panel below the letter slot?

Originally the collection plate - here's a little more info:

Post your Post Boxes! (Photos and fun facts)

Similarly, there are post boxes to be found in Malta that still have a British monarch's details. On the boxes in Republic Street in Valletta they've been chiseled off, but in several other places no-one has been bothered about that and they remain as they were before the country became...

www.railforums.co.uk

And here's an unmolested example:

Post your Post Boxes! (Photos and fun facts)

A non-railway topic - but with a trait that resonates with railway lovers: "Gotta get them all" e.g. numbers, track routes, haulage. I've set myself a whimsical task, to find as many variations of free-standing (pillar) and wall post boxes within a radius "one hour's drive from home". A wall...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[weepingwillowb]

Good to see. What would have been in the edged panel below the letter slot?

I wondered that myself.

Originally the collection plate - here's a little more info:

Post your Post Boxes! (Photos and fun facts)

Similarly, there are post boxes to be found in Malta that still have a British monarch's details. On the boxes in Republic Street in Valletta they've been chiseled off, but in several other places no-one has been bothered about that and they remain as they were before the country became...

www.railforums.co.uk

And here's an unmolested example:

Post your Post Boxes! (Photos and fun facts)

A non-railway topic - but with a trait that resonates with railway lovers: "Gotta get them all" e.g. numbers, track routes, haulage. I've set myself a whimsical task, to find as many variations of free-standing (pillar) and wall post boxes within a radius "one hour's drive from home". A wall...

www.railforums.co.uk

Thanks.

 

[WesternLancer]

Originally the collection plate - here's a little more info:

Post your Post Boxes! (Photos and fun facts)

Similarly, there are post boxes to be found in Malta that still have a British monarch's details. On the boxes in Republic Street in Valletta they've been chiseled off, but in several other places no-one has been bothered about that and they remain as they were before the country became...

www.railforums.co.uk

And here's an unmolested example:

Post your Post Boxes! (Photos and fun facts)

A non-railway topic - but with a trait that resonates with railway lovers: "Gotta get them all" e.g. numbers, track routes, haulage. I've set myself a whimsical task, to find as many variations of free-standing (pillar) and wall post boxes within a radius "one hour's drive from home". A wall...

www.railforums.co.uk

Thanks. I did wonder given the look of it. But as said in that previous post seems odd to create a new space for one.

 

[Ken X]

Spotted this Victorian wall box by St Mary's church in Horsham recently .

 

[Sun Chariot]

Great capture, @Ken X and thanks for sharing.

That particular style of wall-box was made during the reigns of Victoria, Edward VII and George V (other styles also used).
VR examples of this style also on posts 1, 78 (of a narrower dimension) and 220.
EVII example is on post 78.
GV version is on post 216.

Those VR examples do vary in fitment of their post-collection door (gap at top of door). I wonder if their pattern-mould was worn / poor quality, affecting consistency in the manufacture of door-castings.
"Donor" door swaps, whilst possible, aren't likely in my view - a damaged box more likely to be replaced in its entirety.

 

[THC]

On the platform at Harwich Town. Apologies if it's been shared before - I haven't gone back through the thread.

THC

 

[Sun Chariot]

What a little stunner @THC and many thanks for sharing.

Although we have a handful of other images with that style of Victoria wall box, we haven't seen one in such a glorious colour, nor with Imperial State Crown picked out beautifully.
I am rather envious, actually!

 

[WesternLancer]

On the platform at Harwich Town. Apologies if it's been shared before - I haven't gone back through the thread.

THC

Nice to see! Thanks.

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Meanwhile this is from Lincoln Central.

 

[Sun Chariot]

That GVI is truly superb @WesternLancer I've not seen a "designed-as" wall box* as diminutive as that. Many thanks for a new variant on this thread.

* as opposed to a lamp-box which has been permanently set into a wall. This thread has photographic examples of those from reigns of Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II.

 

[whoosh]

A non-railway topic - but with a trait that resonates with railway lovers: "Gotta get them all" e.g. numbers, track routes, haulage.

I've set myself a whimsical task, to find as many variations of free-standing (pillar) and wall post boxes within a radius "one hour's drive from home". A wall theme for this first post:
Victoria "Ludlow" wood-carcass wall box with a white enamel frontage and the maker's-plate of Edward Cole.
Victoria two styles of medium-size bronze / iron wall boxes.
Edward VII large wall box. The Imperial State crown dates it 1901-1904.
George V medium- and large-size boxes.
George VI medium-sized box, with detail differences to both Victoria and George V medium-sized boxes.
Elizabeth II lamp box embedded into a wall.

If Royal Mail Post boxes is your "thing" too, I'd be delighted to see your own photos of the rare, distinctive or old ones!

Well, it isn't my 'thing', but maybe it should be!
Love the Edward Cole box.
I wholeheartedly approve of this as a subject to discuss!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Welcome @whoosh You've entered the slippery slope which some of us slid down and can't get out!

My wife "tolerates" my interest, I think is as far as she'd describe it...

 

[weepingwillowb]

I've come across an online reference to a field near Silverdale, Lancashire, named Letter Box Field. I had a look at the field and the road passing it on Google Maps, but there's no post box there now, so I wonder if it was another example of a letter box having been carved into a tree in the 19th century.

https://committeeadmin.lancaster.gov.uk/documents/s19818/Letter%20Box%20Field%20Ford%20Lane%20Silverdale.pdf

 

[Sun Chariot]

Great find @weepingwillowb and, yes, that field name-origin sounds very plausible.

 

[weepingwillowb]

I've found these two photos in my online album, both in Cornwall and taken in 2011.

Tintagel
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Penrose, near Padstow and Wadebridge. This was the only photo I took of the building and box. Penrose had a post office which had closed before April 2001, so I wonder if this was it.

​

 

[Sun Chariot]

Crunbs, that building wouldn't even get onto TV programme Homes Under the Hammer...

The wall-boxes I've seen located at former sub-post offices, have been fitted into the building's main structure, rather than in a free-standing wall. If that was the former sub-post office building, perhaps it wasn't structurally sound enough to have the box fitted within its wall.

The sign atop the Elizabeth II pillar box, I think it's a retro-fit, as - from what I'd found to date - those signs were pre-WW2 practice, so not fitted new onto EIIR 1952-2022 boxes.