Victorian letterbox containers

Anonymous

2009-09-28 15:12:26

Does anyone know where photos of early letterbox containers or actual letterboxes used in the 1800's are housed? I am working on a novel relying on letterboxing and need to view the very first letterboxes.

Secondly, do elaborately designed letterboxes exist--either historic or modern?

I appreciate any help. Thanks!

The Wandering Artist

2009-09-28 19:47:19

For the benefit of the Forum can you please confirm that we are looking for info on DARTMOOR LETTERBOXING - for eg : a plastic pot under a rock with a rubber stamp inside, and not some elegant Victoeian house with a letterbox in shiney brass!

TWA

Anonymous

2009-09-30 12:57:03

Just to respond to a question, I am looking for any information on early letterbox containers, i.e. plastic containers placed under a rock.

However, if the letterboxing actually began in the Victorian era--I would think a wide range of containers were used. If you have such a container, could you please take a photo of it and post. I appreciate any help.

Duckpool

2009-09-30 16:17:42

The only Victorian box would be James Perrots at Cranmere - and that was supposed to have been some sort of a jar. Permanent structures were built in the 1930's at Cranmere and Ducks Pool, and subsequently at a small number of other sites. I don't know how and when the spread of 'freelance' boxes happened, but by the sixties the most common container was an ammunition box - still a few out there! This probably doesn't help much though if you were going to write about Victorian letterboxing.

Duckpool

Anonymous

2009-09-30 16:58:03

Thanks! It does confirm what I have researched online. It is helpful.

brockie

2010-02-21 21:00:17

There was (and still is) a box at Taw Marsh that was established privately by a family during Victorian times and remained a secret for many years.

Nik - KOTM

2010-02-22 07:36:30

brockie wrote:There was (and still is) a box at Taw Marsh that was established privately by a family during Victorian times and remained a secret for many years.
Clue?
Perrots visitors books are housed in Plymouth Museum apparently

The_Tailchaser

2010-02-23 06:22:19

The visitors books are housed at Plymouth reference library and make very interesting reading. Went there to check out Prince Edwards [ King Edward VII ] visit.