Edward VII Postbox - or is it?
I'll admit that when I took this photograph of an old, unused postbox bearing the cypher of Edward VII (which is what I found interesting) I didn't realise it had any particular significance.
But having now read some of the relevant pages on that well-known know-it-all free website written by volunteers that we all use, I've discovered what appear to be some interesting features about this one.
This would appear to be a Andrew Handyside-designed postbox, first produced in 1879 as the so-called Anonymous boxes because at that time they omitted the Royal Cypher and the words Post Box beneath the cypher. This example would appear to be a later variant of that design for a few reasons:
Firstly, it seems to be what is referred to as a low-aperture type, i.e. the hole through which you post your mail (obscured by the Closed sign) is clear of the top of the box, allowing easier insertion of your mail than was possible with the initial high-aperture variant that apparently caused some items to jam against the overhanging top of the box.
Secondly, the words 'Post Office' are not to be seen below the Royal Cypher where they are normally located on Edward VII boxes; instead, the words are to be seen on either side of the posting aperture.
Thirdly from 1905 when Edward VII boxes first began to appear, the aperture for the mail was incorporated into the door of the box, not the frame as seen above.
So, after this elementary detective work, I think this is a Victorian Handyside-design low-aperture Anonymous postbox that has had an Edward VII cypher added. I would presume this means it was first installed somewhere between 1901 and 1905, using a left-over box from the Victorian era before the new, modified, Edwardian boxes became available - but this does all need confirmation from someone who really knows what they're talking about...
Seen on the corner of Station Road and King's Avenue, Winchmore Hill with what appears to be a contemporary brick wall and wrought-iron fence around it. It sits directly opposite the modern Royal Mail delivery office. In case you are still with me, and wondering, the empty rectangular space at the top of the door is where an operational box would have a listing of the times collections occur.
Edward VII Postbox - or is it?
I'll admit that when I took this photograph of an old, unused postbox bearing the cypher of Edward VII (which is what I found interesting) I didn't realise it had any particular significance.
But having now read some of the relevant pages on that well-known know-it-all free website written by volunteers that we all use, I've discovered what appear to be some interesting features about this one.
This would appear to be a Andrew Handyside-designed postbox, first produced in 1879 as the so-called Anonymous boxes because at that time they omitted the Royal Cypher and the words Post Box beneath the cypher. This example would appear to be a later variant of that design for a few reasons:
Firstly, it seems to be what is referred to as a low-aperture type, i.e. the hole through which you post your mail (obscured by the Closed sign) is clear of the top of the box, allowing easier insertion of your mail than was possible with the initial high-aperture variant that apparently caused some items to jam against the overhanging top of the box.
Secondly, the words 'Post Office' are not to be seen below the Royal Cypher where they are normally located on Edward VII boxes; instead, the words are to be seen on either side of the posting aperture.
Thirdly from 1905 when Edward VII boxes first began to appear, the aperture for the mail was incorporated into the door of the box, not the frame as seen above.
So, after this elementary detective work, I think this is a Victorian Handyside-design low-aperture Anonymous postbox that has had an Edward VII cypher added. I would presume this means it was first installed somewhere between 1901 and 1905, using a left-over box from the Victorian era before the new, modified, Edwardian boxes became available - but this does all need confirmation from someone who really knows what they're talking about...
Seen on the corner of Station Road and King's Avenue, Winchmore Hill with what appears to be a contemporary brick wall and wrought-iron fence around it. It sits directly opposite the modern Royal Mail delivery office. In case you are still with me, and wondering, the empty rectangular space at the top of the door is where an operational box would have a listing of the times collections occur.