Jesmond is a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne, and although it was medieval in origin (Jesus Mound, supposedly, from St Mary's Chapel, an important site of national pilgrimage; where a vision of Mary and the infant Jesus was seen) it was mostly built from Victorian times onward - as reflected in the old cast-iron pillar boxes:
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The above is my favourite - a hexagonal Victorian pillar box, with a small and strangely shaped slot; as identified by the stylized monogram VR (Victoria Regina/ Queen - or Rex/ King for a man) design:
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She reigned from 1837-1901. After Victoria came Edward VII (1901-1910) - the "Edwardian" King - and he is also represented:
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The flamboyant monogram ERVII is clearer on another pillar box nearby:
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Then was George V (1910-1936) - and his letters GR are seen on our nearest pillar box -
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But this time not as a monogram, and without saying which of the six King Georges is being recorded.
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However, this GR is George V (another example is illustrated above) because the adjacent houses were built during his reign.
Another pillar box looks very old, perhaps Victorian - particularly considering how small is its upward-sloped slot - but the front part of the box has been replaced at some point, and there is no date:
"Some old pillar boxes of Jesmond"
3 Comments -
Pillar boxes are a legacy of Anthony Trollope, the Barchester novelist.
24 February 2020 at 12:12
Victoria Regina, I think.
24 February 2020 at 12:25
@MiM - corrected.
24 February 2020 at 13:10