The General Post Office encouraged standard Letter boxes as a slot in the front door as early as 1849. They made it easier for the postman if the Letter box was in a consistent place where possible, making the work of the postman easier and quicker. The standard design of Post Boxes for outgoing mail were first made available at post offices so that people could deposit their mail without having to go into the post office. Roadside Post boxes were not introduced in the United Kingdom until 1852, although they had been used on the continent for some years. This meant that people in rural areas did not have to wait for the post office messenger to arrive as they could deposit their mail in the post box.
The first pillar boxes were introduced into St. Helier, Jersey, in 1952, and at Botchergate, Carlisle, in 1953. London’s first pillar box was placed at the at the junction of Fleet Street and Farringdon Street in 1855. The main instigator of the British post box was the novelist Anthony Trollope who worked at the Post Office as the Surveyor’s Clerk. The idea of roadside post boxes was not new and had first been suggested by Roland Hill in 1840, but was not taken up. Roadside wall post boxes were introduced generally in 1857 as they were cheaper to manufacture than the pillar boxes.
As the use of post boxes grew, the basic design remained the same so as to be easily recognisable, but had some variations, some being hexagonal and others cylindrical. The distinctive red cylindrical pillar boxes and post boxes are a British institution and were designed in 1879 although some of the early Victorian models were green. The cylindrical post boxes were of type “A” (large) and type “B” which was smaller. The type “C” post boxes were oval in shape and had separate openings for town mail and country mail and were first introduced in London in 1899. When post boxes are installed, it is traditional for them to have a plaque with the Latin initials of the reigning monarch, VR for Victoria Regina and GR for George Rex
The General Post Office as a government department ceased to exist in 1969 and services were transferred to a statutory corporation known as the Royal Mail. Services were expanded, but the distinctive red post boxes remain in situ, joined by the red telephone box, some of which had stamp dispensers. Post boxes are still very important, even in today’s electronic world of emails and i-phones. Legal documents and statutory notices are still sent by the Royal Mail, often known as snail mail. Post boxes are still required, especially in rural areas, and the postal service is just as important as it was when it was first conceived. There is now a wide range of designs of letter boxes available to suit individual and business requirements, but the basic design of the post box has not changed since Victorian times.
In the UK, the red Post Box has been part of life since it was developed by the novelist Anthony Trollope in 1852. It was a hundred years before the pillar box was standardised and you will also see red fascia Post Boxes affixed into walls. The standard Post Box is a pillar type with an aperture in which to drop your outgoing mail. The only disadvantage is that the slot is quite small and does not allow larger items to be put in the Post Box. On the other hand, you can rest assured that your mail will be safe and cannot be retrieved by any unauthorised person. The postman has a key which he carries on his rounds and he is not allowed to return letters to you which have been put in the Post Box in error.
Outgoing Mail Boxes in the US are of an entirely different design, but no less distinctive if you have lived in or visited the US. In cities and towns in the US, the mail boxes are designed to accept larger letters and even packages which cannot be retrieved except by the postman. As in the UK, you will have to ensure that you have paid the correct postage. With the regulations in the UK which govern the weight as well as the dimensions of letters, it is not feasible to use large US style mail boxes in the UK, unless you have a method of determining the cost for outgoing mail. Some companies offer franking machines and methods of determining the cost at home or office before putting the package in the Post Box. However, you may still need to visit the post office as your package will not fit in the standard UK style Post Box.
For incoming mail, US style Mail Boxes for individual properties are becoming more common in the UK. This type of mail box can be mounted on a post, fixed to a wall or be standalone. There can be problems with Post Boxes which are fixed in front doors, as they can have strong springs which cause difficulties when the postman wants to deliver letters. Ease of use for both the consumer and the postman should be taken into consideration when selecting a style of Post Box. There are many styles and designs of Post Boxes on the market and you will need to do your research to decide which is the easiest and the best for your situation. Making life easy for the postman will ensure a more efficient delivery service. For example, if you live at the end of a long road in a remote area and are the only resident, put a Post Box at the end of the drive and empty it regularly. This will save the postman time and money when delivering your mail. If this is not feasible, make sure that the Post Box is easily accessible and that the postman does not have to deal with aggressive dogs or even geese!
In an ideal world, your home or business would never be subject to criminal attacks. However, unfortunately we do not occupy such a world and there is always a risk that your property will be targeted by those intent on causing damage.
Thankfully, there are a number of security measures you can take these days in order to reduce the risk of such incidents occurring. For example, you can invest in CCTV to act as a deterrent, and to help catch individuals who trespass on your premises.
Also, you can fit high strength locks and security alarms to scare intruders off and to alert the attention of others.
Meanwhile, you can also purchase special mailboxes that are designed to extinguish fires. Here at Mailbox Mania, we offer such products. Our anti-arson postboxes can fit over the inside of your letterbox to form a cover.
The items have unique heat sensitive fire extinguishers built into them, meaning they will eliminate any fire within seconds, preventing it from spreading around your building.
By investing in mailboxes that have this additional feature, you can achieve greater peace of mind. As well as helping to protect your property, you can also reduce the risk of harm coming to your fellow householders or employees.
To find out more about the range of postboxes we supply, simply take a look around the rest of our website. You might be surprised by the variety of options available to you and the low cost at which they can be purchased.
Www.mailboxmania.co.uk is the premium purveyors of post boxes and mailboxes in the United Kingdom. We stock every kind of post-boxes imaginable in classic, contemporary and modern designs but some of our most stylish, popular and prestigious products are our steel mailboxes.
For example, our Avon steel postbox is a simple yet durable design available in a range of great colours. It is constructed from tough steel and has a top opening covered posting slot and is great value for money.
Another fantastic model from our premium selection of steel mailboxes is the Humber Steel post box, which is a stylish classically curved design with a fully covered front-opening mail slot. Designed to hold general mail and magazines, it is perfectly capable of holding A4 sized mail safely and securely.
Alternatively, fans of Americana will no doubt appreciate our iconic US steel/aluminium post-boxes, which will be familiar to anyone with knowledge of suburban and rural America and feature a little flag which indicated when the postman or post-woman has placed mail inside the box. Available in white or black steel models or white, black or silver aluminium models, these beautiful boxes are aesthetically attractive yet perfectly practical.
For extra strength and durability, we have an amazing selection of stainless steel post-boxes which will stand the twin tests of time and the harsh and changeable United Kingdom climate.
For our full range of brilliant letterboxes for all types of private and business locations, please take time to make yourself a lovely refreshing cup of tea before browsing our website at your leisure.
Postboxes don’t last forever, but if you take good care of yours, it should last for many, many years. Here are some tips to help you maintain and take care of your postbox so that you may never have to buy a new one.
First, when buying a new one, choose something weather proof and sturdy such as stainless steel. Plastic is good too, especially if it’s heavy duty.
Next, keep your bostbox mounted in a place where it will not easily be knocked, bumped into, or even smashed by a car backing up, or vandalized by someone. If you have a gate, it’s a good idea to keep the postbox inside the gate, although this may make it more difficult for the postman to deliver your post.
Although you may not think of it, postboxes should be cleaned now and then to ensure that they stay in good shape. Over time, dust, spider webs, and dirty can accumulate in your box. You may want to clean it out once a year just to make sure it’s not getting rusty and dirty. After all, you want your post to arrive to you clean and in good condition.
Finally, ensure that if your box is in bad shape or has some damage to it that you replace it as soon as you notice. It always looks better to have a good new box than one in poor condition. And your neighbours will appreciate that your box looks good and makes the neighbourhood a cleaner, tidier place.
If you love crafting and decorating, you’re probably always looking for new ideas. Here’s an idea for a small cupboard or shelf that you can make from a postbox. Decorate it any way you like, and it won’t take you long to come up with some beautiful ideas.
First, find some old postboxes, or buy some new ones. You can get used ones from flats, schools, or other buildings that are remodelling or need to buy new ones and will otherwise just throw the old ones away. You can ask your friends and family to watch out for old ones too, but if you can’t find any, buy a new one from a company like Mailbox Mania.
Now come up with some ideas for decorating your postbox cupboard or shelf. You could decoupage, paint, or eve glue little beads and buttons on it. You could decorate the inside like a little dollhouse and put some ornaments and miniatures inside.
Decide whether you want to keep the door on the box or not. If you decide to remove the door, you can use your postboxes as little shelves to hang on the wall. If you leave the door on, you can make a little cupboard that you could keep on a table or your kitchen counter. You could store tea or biscuits inside.
Decorate your shelf, and when you’re happy with how it looks, let any paint or glue dry before you put things inside or hang it on a wall.
If you have a gate on your house or flat, sometimes getting the post delivered can be a bit of a nightmare. Sometimes the postman refuses to even try to get in the gate, or won’t ring you even if you leave a number on the gate. If you have a gate, you may want to consider getting a post box.
Postboxes are a great way to save you hassle with the post when you are not at home or when the postman can’t get in your gate to get to your door. Simply mount one on your gate and your post will be deposited there and your postman won’t have to try to figure out what to do.
Postboxes and letterboxes can be purchased from companies such as Mailbox Mania for reasonable prices. You can find different styles and materials. You can get rear retrieval postboxes, extra large letterboxes, plastic boxes, and even US style boxes letterboxes. Whatever your taste or style, you can find a post box that you like to put on your gate.
If you live in block of flats, or even a house divided into flats, make sure to put your number on the box so the postman knows which flat the box is for. Also, if you do not own the building and the gate, make sure to ask the owner if it is okay for you to put up a post box.
Once you have your box up, you should no more worries about your post delivery.
We may live in the digital era, but a vast majority of security-sensitive information still travels via postal services. Generally, post is sealed. But in an age where we sometimes don’t feel safe walking our local streets at night, the extra precaution of a custom letterbox designed to optimise the security of your post, your home and your peace of mind is no foolish step to take.
Our range of post boxes is unsurpassed in terms of strength, durability and reliability. Indeed they present a formidable task to any would-be burglars, thieves or vandals. Over the past three years we’ve really seen it all in terms of security threats and damage potential, which is exactly what’s helped to shape our fantastic designs. Personal use or commercial use, the risks are shockingly similar.
Anti-Arson Post Boxes
It’s not a very cheery subject to cover, but the issue of arson in both the home and commercial environments is unfortunately prevalent in our society. Our range of anti-arson letter boxes is designed to protect your home/office environment by quenching any fire that begins inside the box via an advanced heat sensitive fire extinguisher that activates instantly when a certain temperature is detected.
Whatever the security needs and concerns of your home or business, we’re confident that the mail box solution can be found in our catalogue. Call our staff on 01943-463-998 and talk through any concerns, seek advice or place an order.
Mailbox mania has the greatest selection of mailboxes available online and all at the most competitive prices on the market. Our steel post boxes are stylish, secure and strong. We only supply high quality products from trusted and established skilled manufacturers. All of our post boxes come in different colours, so please take a look online for the shade which best blends with your abode or business property.
Our great-value Avon steel post box is compact, stylish and is suitable for both general mail and small magazines, it has a top opening covered posting slot and a Perspex window for slotting in your name and address. If you often receive A4 mail or documents, then our derwent post box is the ideal choice for you. It also has a top opening letter slot but is slightly larger and comes complete with a Perspex window so that you can easily see when mail has arrived.
Our Humber steel box is a large capacity box in a sturdy traditional style, with a fully covered front opening mail slot and is perfect for small magazines, general mail and A4 envelopes and packages.
If you love Americana, then you are sure to appreciate our US steel or aluminium boxes, made with your choice of these high grade durable materials in the classic and iconic American shape, complete with locking mechanism and a flag which signals the arrival of your mail. Mailbox mania also has a full range of stainless steel mailboxes, made of thick, high quality brushed stainless steel, they are very stylish and guaranteed to survive the elements for many a year.
So please choose us for all your steel post box requirements - our prices reflect the fact that that we’re a steal for steel!
If you’ve decided to purchase a residential post box, to be situated outside your house, you may well want to combine the practicalities with good looks.
If post boxes fit in with the look of your house, and your street as a whole, then this very much increases their appeal. It’s likely you will want your brand new post box to be attractive as well as secure, weather proof and durable.
One way you can achieve this is to make a stylistic acknowledgement of our friends “across the pond” in the USA, where residential post boxes are the norm. Here at Mailbox Mania we offer elegant, practical, and eye-catching US style post boxes, in either metal or aluminium. You could either go for a sleek glossy black colouring, or a more neutral matt white.
Alternatively, you could invest in a residential post box with a more “olde worlde” look by acquiring a cast aluminium post box. At Mailbox Mania we can offer you a beautiful “Imperial” style post box, complete with heraldic engraving on the front to give your post box a real gravitas in the neighbourhood.
However, if you’d like your post box to be a little more understated yet still elegant, you could consider one of our brushed silver aluminium post boxes.
Finally, remember it’s the little touches that can count: a workmanlike post box, such as our Large Capacity Newspaper Post Box, can be given a touch of style with an attractive gold address plate on the front.
