Post box

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A free-standing early twentieth century George 5th cast-iron post box located on the pavement outside 789 Lisburn Road.

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 – ‘MCDOWALL STEVEN & CO LTD LONDON & GLASGOW’. 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 and with a lock 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 and the number of this particular box. (BT9 234D)

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

Historical information

This pre-1936 post box appears to have originally stood further along Lisburn Road, close to the juction of Lislea Drive. It was moved to its present position at some point between 1966 and 1988, in front of what was at that time the local post office.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This post box originally stood elsewhere, possibly further along Lisburn Road, close to the juction of Lislea Drive. It was moved to its present position at some point between 1966 and 1988, in front of what was at that time the local post office. 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 outside 789 Lisburn Road, between 1910 – 1936 and carrying its maker’s name - ‘MCDOWALL STEVEN & CO LTD LONDON & GLASGOW’. 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.
Although the precise number of George V post boxes surviving in Belfast is unknown, these would seem to be more numerous than those erected during previous monarch’s reigns.
Post boxes of this era were of great social importance as the principle conduit by which people communicated with one another.