Show us letterboxes...

19

NEX5, Minolta MD 50mm f/2

Desperately waiting for a postcard !
You can still join the party !!

Ludlow post boxes were introduced because until 1910 sub-postmasters were responsible for the provision of secure posting facilities in their post offices. As the traditional cast iron boxes were heavy and expensive, James Ludlow & Son introduced a range of much cheaper boxes which they could supply at a competitive price. They were also to be seen in large country houses, public buildings and hotels.

At their peak, it is estimated that there were some 5,000–7,000 Ludlow boxes in use in the UK. As the network of post offices has contracted, many of these have been withdrawn from service and removed until today there are around 450 left. This example is at the closed post office in Castle Caereinion, mid Wales.

A doubly decorated box in Bedford, painted gold to mark local boy Etienne Stott's gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games and now topped with a crotcheted crown for the platinum jubilee.

At first glance one of the huge number of wall boxes installed during the first 70 years of the current monarch's reign, but a closer look shows the Roman numerals below the ER read VII, not II. This indicates Edward VII who reigned 1901-1910.

UK Post Office wall box.

A99ii & Min AF 100/2,8

Phil, here's an intersting tale of someone who visited all twelve of this design.

I photographed Birkenhead's in 2011 and spoke to a local woman posting a letter, she had no idea it was a rare old box, simply somewhere to post a letter.


Notee the old style collection plate and "letter box" around the aperture.

Phil, Birkenhead/Liverpool/Crosby (for the Gormley statues) would be good for a Dyxum DM.