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The Island museum takes the crown for the most boxes, with curator and creator Arthur Reeder claiming that no other UK collector “is as silly” as him.
Each box in Arthur’s collection tells a story, with boxes from Hong Kong, to boxes in the Republic of Ireland that were painted green following partition, to boxes that have served the Island.
He said: “The general term for this sort of stuff is street furniture – they are things that people take for granted.
“It’s part of the history of this country – we won two world wars while keeping in touch with family.”
Arthur has an encyclopaedic knowledge of his boxes, knowing the exact locations and stories behind each one.
He said: “It’s the reason this country is still where we are, because of Royal Mail.
“This country was very inventive, we invented the postage stamp which is why we don’t have our name on a stamp!”
Arthur’s collection has brought attention from all around the world, with visitors coming from Canada and Australia.
Having collected post boxes for many years, he now gets contacted by Royal Mail and boxes donated to him, often because they have been broken and are no longer usable, or by retired postmen.
He then has them restored and added to the collection at his home, Last Post, on Fairlee Road.
The museum building features much of the former East Cowes sorting office, as well as post-related artefacts and memorabilia, which are majority donated.
Arthur sees the attraction as a benefit to the Island, promoting its uniqueness.
He said: “Post boxes have got aesthetic value, and it’s a hobby – it’s not a money making venture.
“People say to me you should have a charge on the gate. We don’t want that. We want people to share the hobby.”
Anyone wishing to visit The Postal Museum should contact Arthur Reeder on reeder944@btinternet.com or 07976 274071.
