Ludlow boxes were introduced in 1880 primarily for post offices and initially designed by a Mr Cole. They were known as Cole boxes for a while but a Mr Ludlow designed the majority in the twentieth century and they are now known as Ludlow boxes. They were a form of wall box but were built so they could be opened and emptied from the rear, in other words within the post office itself. Until the standard design was introduced in 1880 they were generally built by local carpenters to fit the dimensions of the pane/s of glass they replaced in the windows of post offices. They were often made of wood and were nearly always fitted with an enamel plate indicating that it was a letter box.
This particular box is number DH8 461 and was a locally made pre-standardisation of Ludlow boxes. It can be found at the post office in Blanchland near Consett, County Durham. The posting box was made to the same size as a pane of glass in this old post office, as was the posting aperture.
It was spotted by Judith 9 April 2022.
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