From Skip to Museum: The Man with 260 Historic Postboxes
Arthur Reeder stands amidst his remarkable collection on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by postal history. "I'm not allowed to have a favourite," he insists, comparing the choice to selecting a preferred child. Yet his eyes light up when discussing particular pieces, like the Heinz factory postbox resembling a giant baked beans tin from London's Park Royal.
A Chance Discovery in Wales
This extraordinary journey began in 1994 during a trip to north Wales. While visiting Rhyl station to see miniature steam trains, Reeder noticed a painted outline on the platform marking where a Victorian postbox once stood. The original had been vandalized, set alire, and discarded in a skip. When he inquired with the station manager, he received a joking offer: "Give me 20 quid and you can take it away with you."
Reeder responded with equal humor, requesting a receipt for his twenty pounds. That transaction marked the beginning of what would become one of Britain's most significant postbox collections.
Building a National Collection
Today, Reeder's postal museum houses approximately 260 postboxes from across the United Kingdom and beyond. The collection includes pieces from:
- East Mey in Scotland
- Truro in Cornwall
- Cork in Ireland
- Hong Kong
His reputation has grown to the point where Royal Mail contacts him during storage yard clear-outs before scrapping old equipment. "My reputation is such that when they're having a clear-out, they get in touch with me," Reeder explains.
The Collector's Network
After writing about his first acquisition for a specialist magazine, Reeder found himself drawn into a community of enthusiasts. Visitors began arriving to see his initial postbox, with one remarking, "I know a bloke who wants to get rid of some in his garden." Another introduced him to a stonemason in east London with a pillar box stored for years in his garage.
Reeder joined the Letter Box Study Group, connecting with fellow enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds—electricians, builders, business owners—all united by their passion for postal history. "Send me a photograph of one and I'll tell you everything you want to know about it," he offers, having become the group's go-to expert.
A Museum Born from Necessity
By 2006, Reeder's collection had outgrown various sheds where he stored pieces hoping for eventual display. He established his museum primarily as storage space, but it has since welcomed visitors ranging from casual walk-ins to organized groups of ninety people. He and his wife now host appointments for those interested in postal history.
The collection has grown through both active acquisition and inheritance from fellow collectors who have passed away. "Without them, I wouldn't have got anywhere," Reeder acknowledges gratefully, having received postboxes from friends in Somerset and Cowes.
The Changing Face of Postal Service
Reeder observes significant changes in Britain's postal landscape. His local postbox, attached to a telegraph pole, was removed last Christmas after Royal Mail deemed it unfit. Now elderly residents must walk a mile to the nearest alternative. Meanwhile, Royal Mail is installing 3,500 solar-panelled postboxes nationwide, some replacing classic designs.
Looking toward the future, Reeder expresses concern about both the durability of modern boxes and the declining use of physical mail. "I don't see modern boxes lasting more than 50 years," he predicts. "The way things are going, we probably won't be sending many letters in 10 years' time."
These iconic fixtures have maintained connections between families for generations, and Reeder hopes to preserve their history as long as possible. However, he acknowledges the collection's uncertain future beyond his stewardship. "If anything were to happen to me or my wife, I presume it will get cast to the four winds," he admits, though he continues enjoying sharing his passion while he can.
