Post Box

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A free-standing early twentieth century George 5th cast-iron post box located outside the former post office on Ormeau Road at the corner of St John’s Avenue.

This post box is of standard design and painted in ‘pillar box red’ throughout except for the base which is black and carries its maker’s name - ‘CARRON COMPANY STIRLINGSHIRE’. It stands 5ft 0in high and measures 21in/15½ in/17in in diameter around its cap, shaft and base respectively.

Below its shallow oversailing cap, the edge of which is fluted, is the door, hinged at left and with a raised cup handle at the right with the keyhole above. At the top of the door is a hooded rectangular aperture through which the letters are inserted into the box. Above the aperture is a small holder containing a removable plate showing the day of the next collection - with beside it ‘NEXT COLLECTION’ in raised letters. Below the aperture is a notice plate holder containing details of collection days/times. The number of this particular box is also given at the bottom of the notice (BT7 264).

Below the notice plate holder is a ‘GR’ cipher with a raised crown above and ‘POST OFFICE below.

Historical information

OS map evidence suggests that this post box originally stood elsewhere - in front or close to the at the former post office no.513 Ormeau Road. The latter closed c.1990, so presumably the box was moved to this location at that point.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This post box originally stood elsewhere - possibly in front or close to the at the former post office no 513 Ormeau Road. As it is not in its original location it has not been considered for listing.

A free-standing early twentieth century King George V cast-iron post box, erected on the Ormeau Road at the corner of St John’s Avenue, between 1910 – 1936 and carrying its maker’s name - ‘CARRON COMPANY STIRLINGSHIRE’. This post box is in the distinctive style peculiar to the Post Office, painted in ‘pillar box red’ throughout except for the base which is black and with a fluted cap. It is of historical importance as it bears the Royal Cipher of King George V on the door.
Post boxes of this era were of great social importance as the principle conduit by which people communicated with one another.