Rory Matthews: Jersey Pillar Box

Artist: Rory Matthews

Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 8.75 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.5 by 11.5 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Illustration Paper

Today, the pillar box is a common feature of all British towns and cities. It was first introduced as a posting aperture for the outlying regions of the British Isles. In 1852, Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope, then employed as a Surveyor's Clerk by the Post Office in London, suggested the implementation of the French devised pillar box as a means of improving the postal services of the Channel Islands. Trollope believed the system of roadside letter boxes would help alleviate the heavy burden on the Post Office, the only receiving house on the entire island. Within a month of Trollope's suggestion, the Postmaster General gave his consent to the trial of four pillar boxes in St. Helier, Jersey. These first pillar boxes were designed and manufactured by a Jerseyman, John Vaudin, and were painted green. It was not until 1874 that the traditionally British "pillarbox red" was adopted to make the "receivers," as they were officially called, more distinctive in the busy streets. Pillar boxes were not introduced in England until 1853. In September of 1853, Botchergate, Carlisle, became the site of the first box in England. Based on this reception, the Postmaster General agreed that similar pillar boxes could be erected at Gloucester and other towns throughout England. For the first several years, each District Surveyor exercised considerable freedom in the manufacture and design of the boxes. In 1857, the design of the pillar box was standardized for all of Great Britain.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05957

US$ Price: $950.00

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