[Talk-GB] post_box:design to select for newer style post boxes

[Dan Glover]

Replying as a member of the Letter Box Study Group, but not in any 
"official" capacity.

On 2021-01-30 12:41, matt at theproctors.net wrote:

[new Romec boxes]

> They are larger than a traditional type_b, but probably smaller than a
> traditional type_a. Actually I haven't measured them, and there may
> even be size variations within the styles.

I understand they are a (consistent) intermediate size between the 
traditional "A" and "B". There are three known variants in terms of 
minor detail. Oh, plus Scottish versions.

> Do these have new designations from Royal Mail (like the type_m/n lamp
> boxes) or still fall under the type_a/b naming?

Not as far as I am aware. However it might be useful to have some sort 
of distinct tag for them. Or not, depending on the "use case"...

> There are also differences *within* a type, for example some (older)
> E2R type_c have a single front cypher:

...this is the problem. How far to go which will allow useful analysis 
but not require the mapper to have knowledge of all the minutiae.

How many types of post box are there? Ignoring the different cyphers, at 
a basic level just three. Considering the different sizes/shapes of wall 
box and pillars, maybe a dozen. Taking account of the manufacturer, 
variations in the size/placement of cypher, plus historical designs 
found in small numbers...hundreds.

> And there are variations through the other ranges (e.g. "anonymous"
> with higher aperture vs lower aperture; crown size on GR boxes; EVIIR
> Cypher styles )

Exactly. Anyone who is looking at the subject that closely is probably a 
candidate for LBSG membership.

> Are there additional tagging recommendations for this level of detail,
> or is it best just left to the notes?

Free text is seldom a good solution if the information is to be analysed 
later but in this case the effort of setting up appropriate tags (and 
documentation as to how they should be used) is probably too much. There 
are plenty of post boxes which don't have the times, reference number or 
other basic detail recorded yet.

In the case of the circular steel pillars, tagging with something 
referencing Romec might seem reasonable...except the first few didn't 
carry a maker's name and a new variant has appeared with no name plate. 
To make things more complicated, during 2020 Royal Mail placed an 
external contract and the Romec plant near Newcastle apparently has 
closed - so the next batch may have a different manufacturer, to the 
same design, or differ significantly.

The LBSG classification system is reasonably well structured but in some 
cases requires examination of small detail to arrive at the correct 
categorisation. I don't know that it is necessarily "secret" but 
probably is not intended for widespread use.

Sorry, this doesn't really answer the question...


Regards,

Dan Glover