Edward VIII postbox, Kingpost Parade, London Road, Burpham, Guildford

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 10 Mar 2011

Burpham's little secret and probably the most exciting thing here, is this Edward VIII postbox. Probably because the posting slot and the Royal Cipher are turned away from London Road, it hasn't been much noticed. Some of Guildford's postboxes of other reigns have had the Royal Cipher outlined in gold, and very attractive they look too. It would be nice to see this box get the same treatment. King Edward VIII only reigned for part of 1936, before he was forced to choose between keeping his throne or marrying the woman he loved, Mrs Wallis Simpson. Unfortunately for him, she was an American who had been married and divorced twice. That was unacceptable to many people, who were still living in the shadow of Victorian moral attitudes. Today it wouldn't bother many people, but he decided to marry Mrs Simpson, so had to abdicate. As a result, any sort of building or item carrying an Edward VIII cipher is extremely rare. There were thought to be only 160 or so pillar boxes made, of which 130 may survive, but the most readily available list could only trace less than 60. Unfortunately it seems that in the aftermath of the abdication, many of these boxes had their fronts removed and replaced with one bearing the cipher of King George VI. The box in situ:- Image Close-up of the cipher:- Image Postbox number: GU4 214. Post code: GU4 7JS. Last collection: 6.30 pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon Saturday.

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