The Letter Box Study Group
@lbsg.org
The UK's foremost authority on roadside letter boxes since 1976 📮🇬🇧
Postboxes received a major rebrand in the 1990s, swapping the 150-year-old words 'POST OFFICE' for "ROYAL MAIL". Soon, the Post Office would be split out into its own company, only responsible for the offices. The iconic red boxes are still under the care of Royal Mail. #postboxsaturday
November 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Postboxes received a major rebrand in the 1990s, swapping the 150-year-old words 'POST OFFICE' for "ROYAL MAIL". Soon, the Post Office would be split out into its own company, only responsible for the offices. The iconic red boxes are still under the care of Royal Mail. #postboxsaturday
While most #postbox manufacturers merely produced the postbox designs requested, Machan Engineering were different. They approached Royal Mail with some ideas of their own, including the Types L and M pedestal boxes - here's a Type L with the Scottish Crown, and a Type M with Elizabeth II's cipher
November 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
While most #postbox manufacturers merely produced the postbox designs requested, Machan Engineering were different. They approached Royal Mail with some ideas of their own, including the Types L and M pedestal boxes - here's a Type L with the Scottish Crown, and a Type M with Elizabeth II's cipher
British industry declined from the 1980s. Long term postbox manufacturer Carron Company went insolvent in 1982. Their successors were Carronade (pictured) and Machan Engineering, the latter bringing several new postbox designs to our streets before closing their doors in 2016 #postboxsaturday
November 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
British industry declined from the 1980s. Long term postbox manufacturer Carron Company went insolvent in 1982. Their successors were Carronade (pictured) and Machan Engineering, the latter bringing several new postbox designs to our streets before closing their doors in 2016 #postboxsaturday
We've seen plenty of autumn-themed box toppers this year. Here's one we found on a 1990s Type C pillar box while attending the LBSG AGM in Shifnal. What a lovely job the crafter did, even including a postbox and postie! #postboxsaturday
October 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
We've seen plenty of autumn-themed box toppers this year. Here's one we found on a 1990s Type C pillar box while attending the LBSG AGM in Shifnal. What a lovely job the crafter did, even including a postbox and postie! #postboxsaturday
This magnificent Type A pillar box in Belfast enjoys a great view over the majestic buildings of Queens University. The trees were showing the yellows of early autumn when this photo was taken; by now the ground is surely scattered with their leaves. #postboxsaturday
October 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
This magnificent Type A pillar box in Belfast enjoys a great view over the majestic buildings of Queens University. The trees were showing the yellows of early autumn when this photo was taken; by now the ground is surely scattered with their leaves. #postboxsaturday
As promised, a few photos from the LBSG AGM yesterday. We had a wonderful day with friends old and new, including special guest Chris Taft from @thepostalmuseum.bsky.social who gave a talk about the museum and their plans for 2026 and beyond 🤫
October 12, 2025 at 11:46 AM
As promised, a few photos from the LBSG AGM yesterday. We had a wonderful day with friends old and new, including special guest Chris Taft from @thepostalmuseum.bsky.social who gave a talk about the museum and their plans for 2026 and beyond 🤫
How many autumns have come and gone since this Victorian wall box was installed? It stands as testament to the endurance of postboxes and letters, of cast iron and a lick of red paint.
This weekend is the Letter Box Study Group AGM, in Shifnal. Look out tomorrow for photos!
#postboxsaturday
This weekend is the Letter Box Study Group AGM, in Shifnal. Look out tomorrow for photos!
#postboxsaturday
October 11, 2025 at 7:01 AM
How many autumns have come and gone since this Victorian wall box was installed? It stands as testament to the endurance of postboxes and letters, of cast iron and a lick of red paint.
This weekend is the Letter Box Study Group AGM, in Shifnal. Look out tomorrow for photos!
#postboxsaturday
This weekend is the Letter Box Study Group AGM, in Shifnal. Look out tomorrow for photos!
#postboxsaturday
Autumn has crept in; the leaves crunch underfoot and there's a chill in the air. What better inspiration for a postbox topper? This lovely pair of Type Ks outside the Post Office in Warwick have been seasonally decorated with animals, scarecrows and leaves
#postboxsaturday #postbox #autumn
#postboxsaturday #postbox #autumn
October 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Autumn has crept in; the leaves crunch underfoot and there's a chill in the air. What better inspiration for a postbox topper? This lovely pair of Type Ks outside the Post Office in Warwick have been seasonally decorated with animals, scarecrows and leaves
#postboxsaturday #postbox #autumn
#postboxsaturday #postbox #autumn
Now arriving in LBSG members' letter boxes, it's newsletter 198! lbsg.org/membership
September 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Now arriving in LBSG members' letter boxes, it's newsletter 198! lbsg.org/membership
Steel Type F (1968) and later cast iron Type G (1974) pillar boxes were a failed experiment in square postboxes. Their shape was rejected by the British public who petitioned for a return to tradition. Type Fs were also highly susceptible to corrosion and none remain on our streets #postboxsaturday
August 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Steel Type F (1968) and later cast iron Type G (1974) pillar boxes were a failed experiment in square postboxes. Their shape was rejected by the British public who petitioned for a return to tradition. Type Fs were also highly susceptible to corrosion and none remain on our streets #postboxsaturday
Another radio appearance today discussing the new solar panel postboxes - BBC Radio Scotland www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (10 minutes before end of show)
August 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Another radio appearance today discussing the new solar panel postboxes - BBC Radio Scotland www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (10 minutes before end of show)
Did you hear our interview with Evan Davies on BBC Radio 4 about the new solar panel postboxes? www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - PM
Afternoon news and current affairs programme
www.bbc.co.uk
August 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Did you hear our interview with Evan Davies on BBC Radio 4 about the new solar panel postboxes? www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
📮Attention Postbox Lovers 📮
Royal Mail is upgrading postboxes to accept parcels. They'll gain a new slot (which still accepts letters) and a solar panel on top.
To identify boxes being upgraded look for:
- slimmer pillar boxes
- jutting out apertures
- EIIR/Scottish Crown cipher
#PostboxSaturday
Royal Mail is upgrading postboxes to accept parcels. They'll gain a new slot (which still accepts letters) and a solar panel on top.
To identify boxes being upgraded look for:
- slimmer pillar boxes
- jutting out apertures
- EIIR/Scottish Crown cipher
#PostboxSaturday
August 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
📮Attention Postbox Lovers 📮
Royal Mail is upgrading postboxes to accept parcels. They'll gain a new slot (which still accepts letters) and a solar panel on top.
To identify boxes being upgraded look for:
- slimmer pillar boxes
- jutting out apertures
- EIIR/Scottish Crown cipher
#PostboxSaturday
Royal Mail is upgrading postboxes to accept parcels. They'll gain a new slot (which still accepts letters) and a solar panel on top.
To identify boxes being upgraded look for:
- slimmer pillar boxes
- jutting out apertures
- EIIR/Scottish Crown cipher
#PostboxSaturday
During the early decades of Elizabeth's reign, Type C (oval) pillar boxes saw no real design changes. Unlike the later Type Cs, these have doors on either end. They ceased production in the 1980s #postboxsaturday
August 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
During the early decades of Elizabeth's reign, Type C (oval) pillar boxes saw no real design changes. Unlike the later Type Cs, these have doors on either end. They ceased production in the 1980s #postboxsaturday
www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/2537416... Has your local postbox mysteriously had its door removed and been wrapped in black film? Solar powered postboxes are on the way #postbox
Call to support local businesses over post box changes
An MP is urging Saddleworth residents to support local businesses after concerns over the impact of changes to local post boxes could make
www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk
August 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/2537416... Has your local postbox mysteriously had its door removed and been wrapped in black film? Solar powered postboxes are on the way #postbox
After McDowall Steven folded in 1957, Carron Company took up manufacture of Type A pillar boxes alongside the Type Bs they already made. That same year they altered the design of the aperture; the new wide, protruding slot made it easier to accept larger mail items.
#postboxsaturday
#postboxsaturday
August 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM
After McDowall Steven folded in 1957, Carron Company took up manufacture of Type A pillar boxes alongside the Type Bs they already made. That same year they altered the design of the aperture; the new wide, protruding slot made it easier to accept larger mail items.
#postboxsaturday
#postboxsaturday
As the Post Office centralised postbox provision during the 1950s, there was no longer any need for Ludlow wall boxes - a cheaper box made of wood and iron that sub-postmasters in rural areas could afford. The last ones were manufactured in EIIR and Scottish Crown versions in 1960 #postboxsaturday
August 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
As the Post Office centralised postbox provision during the 1950s, there was no longer any need for Ludlow wall boxes - a cheaper box made of wood and iron that sub-postmasters in rural areas could afford. The last ones were manufactured in EIIR and Scottish Crown versions in 1960 #postboxsaturday
The first Elizabeth II pillar box to be installed was on Whitehall, a Type A manufactured by McDowall Steven & Co. That box no longer exists, but others are still installed across the country. McDowall Steven went out of business in 1957; these were the last postboxes they ever made #postboxsaturday
August 2, 2025 at 7:00 AM
The first Elizabeth II pillar box to be installed was on Whitehall, a Type A manufactured by McDowall Steven & Co. That box no longer exists, but others are still installed across the country. McDowall Steven went out of business in 1957; these were the last postboxes they ever made #postboxsaturday
This George V pillar box in Edinburgh has a secret past as a 1930s blue-painted airmail box, with two collection plate holders. Ex-airmail boxes can often be identified by the replacement 'chunky' plate holder. The pictured airmail box at Windsor shows the original appearance #postboxsaturday
July 19, 2025 at 7:42 AM
This George V pillar box in Edinburgh has a secret past as a 1930s blue-painted airmail box, with two collection plate holders. Ex-airmail boxes can often be identified by the replacement 'chunky' plate holder. The pictured airmail box at Windsor shows the original appearance #postboxsaturday
Have you seen these postboxes? If you're holidaying in the UK this year, why not see what postboxes (and parcel lockers) you can see while travelling? Let us know what you find, and support our mission to record and protect the UK's postal heritage #postboxsaturday
July 12, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Have you seen these postboxes? If you're holidaying in the UK this year, why not see what postboxes (and parcel lockers) you can see while travelling? Let us know what you find, and support our mission to record and protect the UK's postal heritage #postboxsaturday
This Ludlow postbox, seemingly from Edward VII's reign, is actually one of the few from Edward VIII's (there's also a couple with his full cipher). Notably it carries the "female" crown as Ludlows did not switch crowns for kings until the reign of George VI #postboxsaturday
June 28, 2025 at 7:39 AM
This Ludlow postbox, seemingly from Edward VII's reign, is actually one of the few from Edward VIII's (there's also a couple with his full cipher). Notably it carries the "female" crown as Ludlows did not switch crowns for kings until the reign of George VI #postboxsaturday
Ludlows wall boxes were produced up to 1960, when Royal Mail took over provisioning of all postboxes including at sub-post offices. Because of this, Elizabeth II is the last monarch to carry them in her name #postboxsaturday
June 21, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Ludlows wall boxes were produced up to 1960, when Royal Mail took over provisioning of all postboxes including at sub-post offices. Because of this, Elizabeth II is the last monarch to carry them in her name #postboxsaturday
Ludlow wall boxes were made in various styles by three different manufacturers in Birmingham - the Eagle Range & Foundry, ER Cole, and their namesake James Ludlow. The Eagle boxes are hard to spot (pic 1), but Cole and Ludlow (pic 2 and 3) are more distinctive #postboxsaturday
June 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Ludlow wall boxes were made in various styles by three different manufacturers in Birmingham - the Eagle Range & Foundry, ER Cole, and their namesake James Ludlow. The Eagle boxes are hard to spot (pic 1), but Cole and Ludlow (pic 2 and 3) are more distinctive #postboxsaturday
Often mistaken for an ordinary wall box, Ludlows - often with white enamel plates - were made with wood and a cast iron frame, making them significantly cheaper for sub-postmasters at Post Offices to purchase. Prone to rot and replacement, they are becoming harder to find #postboxsaturday
June 7, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Often mistaken for an ordinary wall box, Ludlows - often with white enamel plates - were made with wood and a cast iron frame, making them significantly cheaper for sub-postmasters at Post Offices to purchase. Prone to rot and replacement, they are becoming harder to find #postboxsaturday
We finish our tour of George VI boxes with this well-cared for wall box in Bermuda, courtesy of member Judith. Bermuda, which voted against independence in 1995, is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and like many British territories still uses UK-sourced postboxes #postboxsaturday
May 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
We finish our tour of George VI boxes with this well-cared for wall box in Bermuda, courtesy of member Judith. Bermuda, which voted against independence in 1995, is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and like many British territories still uses UK-sourced postboxes #postboxsaturday