Vintage Country House Pillar Post Letter Box Cabinet 20th Century

Miniature post boxes
were a 'must have' for English aristocracy between 1870 and 1910, and were a regular feature on the reception counters of grand hotels, and the entrance halls of stately homes. Twice a day the footman would be expected to gather the outgoing mail and deliver it to the local post office.

Post boxes came in a variety of forms and designs, were generally in oak, but occasionally mahogany or walnut. Often inspired by architecture, they had varying roof styles and multi-sided or radial forms, usually with lockable glazed doors displaying the collection times.  Particularly notable examples are the rare pillar box and sentry box.

Some post boxes displayed Queen Victoria's royal cypher (VR), signifying the Royal Mail.

Eminent makers of post boxes include Asprey, J.C. Vickery, Thornhill, Army & Navy, and Halstaff & Hannaford.