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Images

October is the middle month of autumn, meteorologi

October is the middle month of autumn, meteorologically speaking, so we're sharing some lovely autumnal photographs of postboxes. To start, we have an Elizabeth II type B (smaller) pillar box in Hull, surrounded by multicoloured leaves fallen from trees above it. Unfortunately those trees have also given ideal growing conditions to the lichen on its cap. One of the notable features of the box is its aperture - from 1957 pillar boxes began featuring larger 10 inch apertures that jutted out, rather than the smaller 8 inch curved apertures on older boxes.

Edward VII size A (large) wall boxes (pics 1 and 2

Edward VII size A (large) wall boxes (pics 1 and 2) also went through some design changes in 1905, though in this case the maker remained the same - WT Allen & Co. The door now filled the whole of the box front, with all features incorportated into it, and gained the next collection tab and wording. Size A and B (pic 3) wall boxes transitioned to showing Edward VII's full cipher on the front, though the smaller size C boxes kept the plain 'E VII R' and crown above the aperture.

Can you spot the difference between these two post

Can you spot the difference between these two postboxes? They're both from the reign of Edward VII, but a new manufacturer in 1905 also came with a new design; McDowall Steven began a new era of Scottish postbox manufacture, producing out of their Glasgow factory.

The McDowall Steven design moved the aperture from above the door to be inset into the door, and introduced the familiar square tablets telling the next collection time/day. These tablets were also added post-manufacture on the older style boxes, as you can see on the first picture. Finally the words 'POST OFFICE' were moved from around the rim to below the cipher. The new design, which is more than echoed in our modern steel pillar boxes, we call "long door" as the doors are the full length of the box. The older design we call "short door".

#postboxsaturday #postbox #edwardvii #streetfurniture #history #castiron #scotland #mcdowallsteven #glasgow

This Edward VII postbox isn't in the UK, instead b

This Edward VII postbox isn't in the UK, instead being located in Cape Town, South Africa. Britain had occupied Cape Town almost continuously since 1795, subjugating the various local tribes as well as engaging in warfare with the Boers (Dutch settlers) for control of the country.

British postboxes can be found in a number of major South African cities, though most are damaged from rust due to lack of painting. This lovely example atop Table Mountain remains in good condition, however, since it is more of a tourist attraction. It is a great example of the 'closed' style of Edward VII cipher, in use from 1902-1910. Many similar postboxes can be found in the UK, Ireland, and other British overseas territories.

This Edward VII pillar box in Dublin is not just u

This Edward VII pillar box in Dublin is not just unusual for having maintained its cipher after Irish independence (many were ground off), but is also a great example of the lesser-spotted Edward VII 'open cipher'. Later boxes had a much less delicate, more blobby version. If you spot this version (and it can be quite tricky to tell!) you know it's from the very earliest part of Edward VII's reign.

Many thanks to member Judith's friend for sharing this photo with us 🥰

Our latest Newsletter has arrived this week, with

Our latest Newsletter has arrived this week, with our UK members very excited to see not only the new Charles III postbox, but also that there are 80 pages of postbox content inside. Our editor Simon had to cut down to reach that length, so you can be assured that the next one will also be packed!

Overseas members can expect their copies very soon, but as for me, I know what I'll be doing this Postbox Saturday!

PS: if you're not a member and would like a copy of this newsletter, join today for £32 and you will not only receive copies of all newsletters published this membership year (July 1-June 31) but also the stunning 24 page Beginner's Letter Boxes booklet to help you start on your box spotting journey lbsg.org/membership

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Recent News

JULY 2024 – THE FIRST CIIIR POSTBOX IS UNVEILED LIVE ON BBC BREAKFAST 15th July 2024
JULY 2024 – FIRST CIIIR POSTBOX ENTERS SERVICE 12th July 2024
APRIL 2024 – “BEGINNER’S LETTER BOXES” BOOKLET 8th April 2024
FEBRUARY 2024 – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PILLAR BOX AND A LETTER BOX? 20th February 2024

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