Pedestal boxes
Contents
Overview
Pedestal boxes are an unclear type. They are designed to be placed onto a metal column, with seemingly no provision to be attached to an existing structure, unlike lamp boxes.
All pedestal types were introduced in the reign of Elizabeth II. No Charles III examples are expected as all three types were made of cast iron, and cast iron post box production came to an end under Elizabeth’s reign (see Romec). Machan and Carronade both closed down before Charles III took to the throne.
Types
Types L and M
According to this post by the Letter Box Study Group, the original pedestal boxes were conceived by Machan Engineering in Scotland:
While most #postbox manufacturers merely produced the postbox designs requested, Machan Engineering were different. They proactively approached Royal Mail with some ideas of their own, including the Types L and M pedestal boxes … To tell them apart remember - L for Large, M for Medium
This may explain why all the Type M pedestal boxes examined to date—where the manufacturer name is visible—were made by Machan. Clearly Royal Mail were keen on the idea, as Type M pedestal boxes are widely encountered (at least in Bedfordshire, where they are widespread), while Type L seems to be uncommon.
These post boxes sit on a dedicated moulded column instead of a simple metal pole. The Machan name is found at the back near ground level where it can be obscured by vegetation or out of reach. Even if the maker’s name is accessible it is often illegible due to a build-up of paint.
Type L
Yet to be observed. It appears to be simply a wider version of type M, below.
Type M
These seem to be far more common.
These post boxes all appear to have an internal flap, something that is generally not noticeable. However, something about the light in Silsoe made this evident:
Type N “Bantam”
These seem to be comparatively rare; the example below is from Crawley, encountered in passing during pylon hunt 27. There is some disagreement as to whether Type N post boxes are lamp boxes or pedestal boxes. Until someone discovers a Type N post box attached along its side (as with lamp boxes), one could argue that it makes more sense to classify it with pedestal boxes on the basis that these cannot function as lamp boxes.
Additional views are pending the discovery of the next example.
The “Bantam” name supposedly denotes the likeness to a Bantam motorcycle fuel tank.