Pillar boxes
The BPMA's letter box collection includes over 50 pillar boxes. It reflects their history from one of the first boxes trialled in the UK to modern designs and prototypes. It includes rarities such as boxes from the short reign of Edward VIII but also more common types of boxes.
It depicts the significant variations in pillar box design in the years following their introduction and the evolution to the standard red, cylindrical box first used in 1879 that has today become such a well-known British icon.
Examples from our Collection
Here are some examples of pillar boxes in our collection:
Channel Island Box, 1853
Originally from Guernsey, this was one of the first pillar boxes to be introduced in the UK.
London Ornate Box, 1857-1859
An attempt to make pillar boxes more attractive, only fifty of these were produced.
Penfold Pillar Box, 1872-79
These boxes are examples of perhaps the most popular type of pillar box introduced.
'Anonymous' Pillar Box, 1883-1887
This pillar box was first introduced in 1879 but with a few modifications, is still in use today.
You may also be interested in...
Cancelling Machines
View some of the cancelling machines in our collection
Our collection has examples of all the major types of cancelling machine, including a replica of the earliest model.
Museum Store tours
Let our curators guide you around the British Postal Museum Store
Take a free tour of the Museum Store to see our collection of letter boxes, postal vehicles, sorting equipment and more.
Restoration of a story
Ever wondered how you restore an old pillar box?
Our Assistant Curator explains the painstaking process of restoring a battered airmail pillar box from the 1930s.
