It is, he said, faded and defaced. It’s little companion coin-in-the-slot stamp dispenser empty and forgotten.
This is a ‘GR’ pillar – that’s George the Sixth – which dates the letterbox to the 1930’s.
Meanwhile, I was dismayed to see a much earlier and rarer box looking in a similar sorry state on Great Pulteney Street.
This time it’s the ‘Penfold Hexagonal’ – a letter box dating from the reign of Queen Victoria and designed by a man called J.W.Penfold. It is now bearing the efforts of a passing fly-poster.
These decorative boxes were made in Birmingham and installed between 1866 and 1879. There is another towards Pulteney Bridge on Laura Place.
Here’s a black and white image of the Pulteney Street pillar being emptied by postman Keith Costello back in 1970.
© Bath in Time – Bath Central Library Collection
The box was in danger of disappearing when the lock became worn out, until Chubb said they could make a copy if they could borrow the lock.
The image is now part of the excellent Bath In Time collection and l was interested to read how the box might have been removed if Chubb the Locksmiths had not made a new lock for it!
It is great to think the pillar box is still in use – despite the fact not everyone respects its unique place on this street. Bath also has a Postal Museum and you can find out more via http://www.bathpostalmuseum.co.uk
