Post office ex pillar box as letter box

[Jon Maine]

I have an ex post office pillar box, its the same as the picture apart from it says post office instead of royal mail at the top.

If I were to paint it black and put a house name plate on it and mount it on the street side of my railings as a post box does anyone know if I would be breaking any rules?

 

[Penners]

Just so long as you collect all the letters out of it at 5.30 each day, and deliver them to the addressees, I don't imagine so. :wink:

 

[Flyfisher]

The worst that can happen is that someone confuses the box as genuine (daft though that would be if painted black), in which case you just need to put their letter in a genuine post box.

I would just do it - if there is some arcane rule that says you can't do so then I'm sure a local busybody will let you know!

 

[JoceAndChris]

It's a wonderfully whimsical idea, but I don't think you're really allowed to put anything permanent on the pavement! I remember a lot of fuss over our skips in Highgate.

We've been scared off putting a mail box at the bottom of the track, but then I think the passers by might be rather more reputable where you are, and less inclined to deposit doggie gifts.

Having said all that I agree with Flyfisher- just do it and see what happens :wink:

 

[Penners]

Would it be an idea to put a little notice in the display panel that says something like: "This is a private mailbox. The nearest Royal Mail postbox can be found at... etc."?

Alternatively: "This post box is exclusively for letters containing cash". :wink:

 

[Jon Maine]

I plan to set it into the railings, put an engraved plaque on it identifying the house and tough luck to anything posted that shouldnt be we will re-post when we get around to it.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Well, I might just have to steal that idea off you too if you don't mind, it sounds completely fab, and I've been wondering where on earth I could put "Beacon Cottage/ Huntsman's Lodge". (evidence of both names exists)

How could anyone object to such a novel and witty way to display the name? Good luck, I hope no-one does.

 

[Jon Maine]

Apparently as long as it has no collection plate on display its ok.

 

[worms]

apart from it says post office instead of royal mail

That's interesting - does it have the EIIR on it? Why would the Post Office as distinct from Royal Mail have mail boxes? Or am I just blind and these are all over the place and I have not noticed?

 

[Jon Maine]

Yes it is an EIIR box made by Carron Company Stirlingshire but definately Post Office not Royal Mail.

 

[DaveBrigg]

According to a fascinating website, http://www.wicks.org/pulp/part1.html , well illustrated with photographs, the 'Royal Mail' heading is a recent adaption, dating after 1979. although your box was made in Stirlingshire Jon, it was not cast for use in Scotland. Since the monarch is only the 1st Queen Elizabeth to reign in Scotland, boxes north of the border have a Scottish crown instead.

Even more interesting was the contents section of the website, listing a contribution on postal history by one Biff Vernon.

 

[JoceAndChris]

That's fascinating: fancy Biff hiding his postal systems lights under his bushel like that; the things he knows! Anthony Trollope's contribution of post boxes was rather more useful than his literature IMHO.

I fancy this one from Ebay myself but the price is rather eye-watering.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cast-Iron-GR-...2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1684|66:2

Jon, can I be really geeky and ask what font you will choose for "The Merchant's House"? This seems like a nightmarish decision to me, although possibly I have such things a little out of perspective! But will you match a) the font that's there on the post box b) a font appropriate for the reign of King James II, who I understand was on the throne when your house was built c) a font you like?

I am not a typography nerd, but, by God, I'd like to be.

 

[skier-hughes]

Blimey, I wonder how long they've been there, I used to deliver to 82 Hayfield Hill when I had my shops and never saw them next door, mind you Hayfield hill is a well to do area and the houses aren't that close to each other!!

 

[Penners]

fancy Biff hiding his ...lights under his bushel like that; the things he knows!

You haven't heard the half of it. Try getting him on the subject of yurts, or stained glass, or The Great North Road....

 

[skier-hughes]

bus timetables?

 

[Jon Maine]

Copperplate Gothic. Although it does not look very gothic to me.

 

[JoceAndChris]

You don't need my worthless opinion, but that is a very dignified, restrained and decorous font.

 

[Penners]

 

[Jon Maine]

I spent a short while trying to do that Penners and gave up, either you have far to much time on your hands or are more technically proficient :shock:

 

[Penners]

either you have far to much time on your hands or are more technically proficient

Guess which....!