Whenever we go away I am always on the
look-out for unusual post-boxes. They
may be old ones like this Victorian fluted one we came across in Malvern.
On our October holiday we also came across a
range of ‘Ludlow’ boxes. These are boxes
which were made of rustic pine with a cast iron beading and enamel plate baring
the cypher of the reigning monarch at the time of supply. They were supplied from the time of Queen
Victoria to the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ludlow boxes
were introduced because, until 1910, sub-postmasters were responsible for the
provision of secure posting facilities in their post offices. As the traditional
cast iron boxes were heavy and expensive, James Ludlow & Son introduced a
range of much cheaper boxes which they could supply at a competitive price to
sub-postmasters.
They were also to be seen in large country houses, public
buildings and hotels. James Ludlow
manufactured the boxes in various styles and produced colour leaflets
describing the boxes.
At their height, it is estimated that there
were some 5,000–7,000 Ludlow boxes in use in the UK. As the network of post
offices has contracted, many of these have been withdrawn from service and
removed until today there are around 450 left.
Inside large country houses one can often find a post box in the hall or reception area. This one is at Attingham Park, Shropshire and is certainly a cut above something made by James Ludlow out of rustic pine.