Postal Box

Heritage object, Pillar Box

Corner of Cuba Street and Manners Street (Manners Mall), Te Aro, Wellington
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Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Map

  • Constructed

    c.1879 - c.1910

  • Heritage Area

    Cuba Street Heritage Area

  • Architect(s)

    John Wornham Penfold

  • Builder(s)

    Probably cast by P & D Duncan Ltd (NZ)

  • The Penfold design combined simple design and functionality. The Cuba Street Postal Box is hexagonal in shape, and the roof is adorned with acanthus leaves while the cap is decorated with small spheres. It has architectural value for its design and construction in cast iron although it is no longer sitting upon its base as the Post Office Square Postal Box is.

    The Cuba Street Postal Box is a rare surviving example of a New Zealand manufactured cast iron pillar box that used the popular design of British architect John Wornham Penfold. It is associated with the postal service as these Postal Boxes e an important facility in a time when the post was essentially the only means of easily available distance communication.

    This Postal Box is an excellent representative of its type, this cast iron pillar postal box dates from between 1879 and 1910, and is one of the ‘Penfold’ designs. These are the most famous of the early designs and are named for the architect who designed them, John Penfold.

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  • close History
    • This Postal Box, situated at the corner of Manners and Cuba Streets, is an attractive piece of street furniture that relates well to the historic character of the area. It is situated in the Manners to Dixon Street block of Cuba Street, just back from the corner of Manners and Cuba Street on the eastern side of the street. 

      It is unknown when this Postal Box was installed in Cuba Street, but this type of cast iron pillar postal box dates from between 1879 and 1910, and is one of the ‘Penfold’ designs. These are the most famous of the early designs and are named for the architect who designed them, John Penfold. In 1865 Penfold had been invited to design a new standard pillar box. These Postal Boxes came in three sizes, nine types, and are extremely widespread throughout Britain and the former colonies. The design was cast in New Zealand and remained the standard through until the 1950s. 

      Until the mid twentieth century, these types of postal boxes were extremely common throughout New Zealand’s urban centres. They were an important facility in a time when the post was essentially the only means of easily available distance communication. Following this, the New Zealand Post Office Association had begun replacing the cast iron pillar boxes as they were considered unsanitary, leaky, and difficult to clear. Many were sold to museums or collectors, but some such as the Post Office Square Postal Box, and examples in Napier and Dunedin, were retained ‘in those districts where they were of historical interest’.  

      Its bright red colouring and bold styling give it considerable visual appeal and it has become a local landmark in the Cuba Street heritage area. This postal box appears to be of the same type as those installed in Post Office Square, Napier (Cat II, reference 4829) and Dunedin, which were among the last designs implemented in Britain and date from around 1872.  The New Zealand Penfold boxes are the only ones worldwide that bear the insignia of King Edward VII, the rest throughout the former British controlled territories have the cypher of Queen Victoria.  The Penfold design combined simple design and functionality. The Post Office Square Postal Box is hexagonal in shape, and the roof is adorned with acanthus leaves while the cap is decorated with small spheres. Red became the standard colour for the postal boxes in 1874.  

  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close
      The cast iron pillar postal box dates from between 1879 and 1910, and is one of the ‘Penfold’ designs. These are the most famous of the early designs and are named for the architect who designed them, John Penfold. In 1865 Penfold had been invited to design a new standard pillar box. These Postal Boxes came in three sizes, nine types, and are extremely widespread throughout Britain and the former colonies. The design was cast in New Zealand and remained the standard through until the 1950s. This postal box appears to be of the same type as those installed in Post Office Square, Napier (Cat II, reference 4829) and Dunedin, which were among the last designs implemented in Britain and date from around 1872.  The New Zealand Penfold boxes are the only ones worldwide that bear the insignia of King Edward VII, the rest throughout the former British controlled territories have the cypher of Queen Victoria.  The Penfold design combined simple design and functionality. The Cuba Street Postal Box is hexagonal in shape, and the roof is adorned with acanthus leaves while the cap is decorated with small spheres. Red became the standard colour for the postal boxes in 1874.
        

      The Penfold designs followed a fairly standard template featuring a roof, cap, indicator tablet, aperture, notice plate, Crown, Royal cypher, and post office legends, and a base (usually painted black) where the name of the manufacturer can often be found either at the front or the rear.  This example does not have a base, which has potentially been buried under the paving.

    • Materials close

      Cast iron

    • Setting close
      This Postal Box, situated at the corner of Manners and Cuba Streets, is an attractive piece of street furniture that relates well to the historic character of the area. It is situated in the Manners to Dixon Street block of Cuba Street, just back from the corner of Manners and Cuba Street on the eastern side of the street. This Postal Box is included in the Cuba Street Heritage Area as well as the NZAA Central City Archaeological Area.
  • close Cultural Value

    The Penfold design combined simple design and functionality. The Cuba Street Postal Box is hexagonal in shape, and the roof is adorned with acanthus leaves while the cap is decorated with small spheres. It has architectural value for its design and construction in cast iron although it is no longer sitting upon its base as the Post Office Square Postal Box is.

    The Cuba Street Postal Box is a rare surviving example of a New Zealand manufactured cast iron pillar box that used the popular design of British architect John Wornham Penfold. It is associated with the postal service as these Postal Boxes are an important facility in a time when the post was essentially the only means of easily available distance communication.

    This Postal Box is an excellent representative of its type, this cast iron pillar postal box dates from between 1879 and 1910, and is one of the ‘Penfold’ designs. These are the most famous of the early designs and are named for the architect who designed them, John Penfold.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        The Penfold design combined simple design and functionality. The Cuba Street Postal Box is hexagonal in shape, and the roof is adorned with acanthus leaves while the cap is decorated with small spheres. It has architectural value for its design and construction in cast iron although it is no longer sitting upon its base as the Post Office Square Postal Box is.

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        This Postal Box, situated at the corner of Manners and Cuba Streets, is an attractive piece of street furniture that relates well to the historic character of the area. It is situated in the Manners to Dixon Street block of Cuba Street, just back from the corner of Manners and Cuba Street.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        The Cuba Street Postal Box is a rare surviving example of a New Zealand manufactured cast iron pillar box that used the popular design of British architect John Wornham Penfold. It is associated with the postal service as these Postal Boxes were an important facility in a time when the post was essentially the only means of easily available distance communication.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

        Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

        The archaeological values are unknown, but the Post Box is included in the NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270.

      • Technological

        Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

        There is technical value in the design and construction of this Postal Box. The construction in cast iron is of particular interest.

    • Social Value close

      • Public Esteem

        Is the item held in high public esteem?

        These Postal Boxes have a high nostalgia value and attract a great amount of interest. When the Postal Service was replacing them with more modern alternatives many were purchased by museums and private collectors, while some that were particularly associated with the historic nature of an area were left in place.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Rare

        Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

        As one of few remaining examples of a cast iron Postal Box found in New Zealand this pillar box has some rarity value.

      • Representative

        Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

        This Postal Box is an excellent representative of its type, this cast iron pillar postal box dates from between 1879 and 1910, and is one of the ‘Penfold’ designs. These are the most famous of the early designs and are named for the architect who designed them, John Penfold.

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        It appears that no major modifications have been carried out on this Postal Box other than the addition of a new padlock.

      • Importance

        Is the item important at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        This Postal Box is primarily of local importance die to the value that it contributes to the Cuba Street Heritage Area, in particular aesthetic, historic, scientific, and social. As one of few remaining examples of its type in New Zealand, and its rarity values, it has some national importance.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/7

    • Legal Description

      Road Reserve

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not listed

    • Archaeological Site

      NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Unknown

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 9/25/2017 8:49:30 PM