This is an example of a 'Penfold' pillar box made by Cochrane, Grove and Co of Dudley. They first cast boxes of an hexagonal design in 1866 and they remained in standard issue until 1879. Our box was erected on the corner of Baker Street in London, and was given to the Museum by the post office.
Compare it to a modern post box. It is an hexagonal post box with the letter VR on the front-short for Victoria Regina and showing it was made during Queen Victoria's reign. Notice the decoration, for example, the foliage and pommel on top. Look at the opening where the letters are posted, the horizontal posting aperture is angled upwards, this helped to stop the rain getting in and damaging the letters. In previous designs the opening was situated immediately under the projecting rim of the roof and further protected from wet by an enamelled hanging flap.
You can purchase postcards from the Museum's Souvenir Shop which once posted in our box will receive a special cancellation stamp before being sent on their way.
| Reference: | 518 |
| Keywords: | Letter Mail Stamp Red Victoria Regina London BCLM MCOL |
| Archive Ref: | Photograph used for Rolfe Street, RS File (Stephen Howard) |
| Updated: | 6/9/2001 11:59:10 |