From The Neolithic To The Sea::A Journey From The Past To The Present
Post Boxes
Sample Gallery
Edward VII
Elizabeth II
George V
George VI
With the introduction of Rowland Hill’s Uniform Penny Postage in 1840, the volume of mail increased significantly. As the number of post offices was limited the public urged the Post Office to adopt the continental practice of installing roadside letter boxes.
On 23 November 1852, the first four British pillar boxes were introduced as an experiment in St Helier, Jersey, following a suggestion made by the Surveyor’s Clerk, Anthony Trollope, now famous as a novelist. The red painted hexagonal boxes were designed locally by John Vaudin. After the success of these trials a further three boxes were erected on Guernsey in February 1853. When pillar boxes were first erected on mainland Britain in September of that year, they were octagonal and painted dark green. The very first stood in Botchergate, Carlisle.
The first six London pillar boxes appeared on 11 April 1855. These were rectangular in shape and stood about five feet above ground level with a horizontal posting aperture on the side of the roof. They were designed by A.E. Cowper, a Post Office consulting engineer. Unfortunately, many thought his design was ugly and so new designs were prepared.
On 23 November 1852, the first four British pillar boxes were introduced as an experiment in St Helier, Jersey, following a suggestion made by the Surveyor’s Clerk, Anthony Trollope, now famous as a novelist. The red painted hexagonal boxes were designed locally by John Vaudin. After the success of these trials a further three boxes were erected on Guernsey in February 1853. When pillar boxes were first erected on mainland Britain in September of that year, they were octagonal and painted dark green. The very first stood in Botchergate, Carlisle.
The first six London pillar boxes appeared on 11 April 1855. These were rectangular in shape and stood about five feet above ground level with a horizontal posting aperture on the side of the roof. They were designed by A.E. Cowper, a Post Office consulting engineer. Unfortunately, many thought his design was ugly and so new designs were prepared.