Literature

The history of the Royal Mail post box is a fascinating journey that reflects the evolution of postal services and British identity:

Early Days and Experimentation (Mid-19th Century):

Inspired by Europe: The concept of roadside letter boxes was inspired by their use in France and other European countries.
Channel Islands First: The first public post boxes in the UK were installed in Jersey in 1852, thanks to the advocacy of Anthony Trollope, a Post Office official and later a famous novelist.
Mainland Follows: The first mainland pillar box was erected in Carlisle in 1853. London received its first post boxes in 1855.
Variety of Designs: Initially, the design and manufacture of post boxes were largely the responsibility of local surveyors, leading to a wide array of shapes and styles. Early forms were often hexagonal or fluted.
Green Beginnings: The first standard color for post boxes, adopted in 1859, was bronze green, intended to be unobtrusive. However, this proved to be too inconspicuous, with people struggling to locate them.
Standardization and the Rise of Red (Late 19th Century):

First National Standard: In 1859, the first "National Standard" post box was introduced, aiming for uniformity. These were cylindrical with a hexagonal cap and painted green.
The Penfold Box: Designed by J.W. Penfold, this ornate hexagonal box with decorative elements became a standard in 1866. Although aesthetically pleasing, it was expensive to produce.
The Iconic Red: In 1874, the color of post boxes was changed to red to improve visibility and address public complaints. It took about ten years for the entire country to be repainted.
Cylindrical Dominance: By 1879, the cylindrical design with a convex circular lid became the standard, a form still recognizable today.
20th Century and Beyond:

Lamp Boxes: Smaller, more economical boxes designed to attach to lamp posts appeared in 1896, serving areas with lower mail volumes.
Airmail Boxes: In the 1930s, blue post boxes were briefly introduced for airmail, but these were later repainted red for general use.
Royal Cyphers: Post boxes began featuring the royal cypher (initials of the reigning monarch) to signify their connection to the Royal Mail. This practice continues, making it possible to date post boxes to a specific reign (e.g., VR for Victoria, GR for George VI, EIIR for Elizabeth II).
Modern Variations: While the cylindrical red pillar box remains the most common, some 20th-century experiments included square steel boxes (which were not very popular). More recent additions include larger capacity boxes and those made of different materials like glass-reinforced plastic, often found in shopping centers.
Gold Post Boxes: In 2012, Royal Mail painted some post boxes gold to commemorate the gold medal winners of the London Olympics in their hometowns.