Good to see some skilled local operatives from Royal Mail have been splashing some new Pillar Box Red paint on those familiar Bath-based examples of street furniture which have become such British cultural icons.
The first of these receptacles for collecting mail – in the UK – was installed at Botchergate in Carlisle in 1853.
Bath proudly displays two examples – in Great Pulteney Street – of original Victorian pillars known as Penfold Hexagonals – after its designer.
The pattern was discontinued because letters got stuck in the corners! They’re also a reminder that the world’s first stamped letter was posted in Bath in 1840. We’ve got a Postal Museum here too – www.postalmuseum.org/
But back to the spruce up. I often wander past a pillar box at the city end of the London Road. It sits on the pavement – often surrounded by the wares of the antique shops it faces.
A year or so ago. I took a picture of this George V box – which must have been installed at some point in the King’s reign – which ended in 1936. Attached to it was a redundant stamp box.
Shame it is such a state said l. Next thing l notice is the stamp box has been removed – and that is how things have stayed until last night – passing around 10 pm on my way back home – l was met with what seemed to be a glowing apparition.
Even in the darkness – with the help of the street lights – l could see the box has been dressed in a glistening coat of new Pillar Box Red.
Hooray for Royal Mail.
