Red Post Boxes Group

Child Places

• 01279 Kalgoorlie Railway Station
• 07406 VR 1876 Post Box, Bassendean
• 07406 VR 1876 Post Box, Bassendean
• 05304 Old Busselton Post Office Site & Post Box

Physical Description

The group comprises four operational red post boxes:
- VR 1876 Bassendean
- VR 1891 Busselton
- VR 1894 Kalgoorlie Railway Station
- VR 1897 Kalgoorlie Hotel

History

The first pillar box in Western Australia is thought to have been erected in Fremantle in 1868. From 1891, all Western Australia’s pillar boxes were cast by the J & E Ledger Foundry, therefore the boxes which predate this time, including VR 1876 Post Box, Bassendean were cast by other (mostly unknown) foundries and differ slightly in design.

J & E Ledger cast post boxes from 1891 until 1912. Forty five (45) Ledger post boxes remain extant in WA, with the majority being located within a heritage precinct or museum.
Ledger’s post boxes fit into one of three designs, each of which relate to a specific reigning monarch. The three types are:
• VR boxes cast between 1891 and 1900 – carrying the royal cipher VR, for Victoria Regina (Latin for Queen Victoria, 1853 to 1901) - These boxes are similar in design to the earlier Penfold-type boxes. They are simple red hexagonal cast iron structures, originally cast with a finial on top.
• ER boxes cast between 1901 and 1909 – carrying the royal cipher ER for Edward Rex (King Edward, 1901 to 1910) – These boxes are larger than the earlier VR versions. They are cylindrical, with a finial topper, and have a black swan cast on the front.
• GR boxes cast between 1910 and 1912 – carrying the royal cipher GR for George Rex (King George, 1910 to 1936) – These boxes are similar to the ER boxes in that they are tall, cylindrical boxes, cast with a black swan on the front.

It appears that cast iron post boxes were slowly taken out of postal circulation in the twentieth century and removed from their original locations. The majority are no longer used for postal services and are now located within heritage precincts or museums.


For more information about cast iron post boxes in Western Australia, see Hobson, Sue, Cast Iron Pillar Boxes of Western Australia: An Early History of the J & E Ledger Foundry (Scott Print, Perth: 2015)

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.