Vintage letterboxes are especially popular with owners of older homes. But these fine items can also be used as beautiful interior decorations.
Mailboxes, or letterboxes, became popular in Europe in the middle of the 19th century. They found their way to the United States sometime around the early 20th century. Up until that point, mail carriers employed the personable but incredibly slow method of knocking on doors and hand-delivering mail to homeowners. With the advent of the mailbox, letters could be safely deposited into a box, whether or not the recipient was at home, and the mail carrier could then move onto the next house. By 1923, the U.S. Postal Service made mailboxes or mail slots a requirement for all households that wanted to receive mail.
Curbside mailboxes were especially popular in rural areas, where houses were sometimes several acres apart and the nearest post office could be several miles away. Although curbside mailboxes have gotten quite creative in the last 20 years or so, the most common type has a hinged door with a wide tunnel-like slot. A red flag on the side of the box is raised when the homeowner has outgoing mail.
Wall mailboxes were mounted to the outside of a house and were especially popular in areas where houses were closer together. These types of letterboxes date back to late-Victorian times and can be quite ornate. Brass and cast iron were favored materials, and designs on the front could range from classical motifs to patriotic symbols such as the American eagle.
Throughout the years, wall-mount mailboxes were often designed to reflect current styles. Art Deco, Arts & Crafts and modern are examples of wall-mount mailboxes over the last several decades.
Antique mailboxes can be quite functional today, especially if they are sturdy and meet current postal service size requirements. They can also be used for decorative purposes. A collection of old painted mailboxes, for example, can add flair to a living room or sitting room. An early-20th-century box can be mounted inside a kitchen or den and used to hold bills or important notes.
Antique mailboxes can also be used in inventive ways outside of the home. For example, place an old curbside box in a garden and fill it with perennials for a special delivery of color and texture. However they are used, antique mailboxes can add distinguished style to a home.
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