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All our stock is old, original, in excellent order and ready for use. We carry no modern or reproductions. We welcome your telephone calls +44 (0)1488 682317 or by email to hofgartner@belowstairs.co.uk for further information on any of the catalogue items or your other requirements or if you have any difficulties ordering through our system.

Online Catalogue > Postboxes & Postage


Hartwells Butter Box DP276
Hartwells Butter Box DP276
Original, quality strong square cardboard box used for despatching butter from a dairy via road or rail circa 1900, the top detailed "Dominion Dairy Co Ltd, Hartwells Spring Butter Aylesbury Bucks". The four sides of the lid are also detailed with the contents and safety instructions. Rubbing to the edges, remains of a torn label and one rivet detached, otherwise complete and in good order.

15" x 12" x 5".

 
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Price: £78.00


Rubber Stamp Rack P46
Original, quality 1920's two tier cast iron revolving rubber stamp rack, as used in the office or Post Office for rubber stamps. This example has retained most of its original black with gold dots paintwork but a replacement brass finial has been fitted and all is now complete and in good and working order.

8.5" tall.

4.5" diam base.

6.75" widest.

 
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Price: £75.00


Rubber Stamp Rack P46



Brass Letter Balance PS79
Brass Letter Balance PS79
Original, quality late 19th century brass letter scale of the pendulum form. This example is calibrated in ounces and parts there of up to 4oz, but not in pence as per usual for this style. The face is also stamped "N.B" for the manufacturer. The front has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and all is complete and in good and working order.

6" x 3.25" x 0.75".

 
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Price: £65.00


Candlestick Brass Postal Balance PS78
Original, quality brass postal balance of the candlestick form with a decorative pressed brass circular plinth, a cylindrical body and a small circular sprung plate to the top. The scale is calibrated for the years from 1840 to 1865 and the plinth is embossed with details of horns of plenty, an early steam railway engine and a cargo ship with sails up. All is in the original colour and lacquer finish. Complete and in good and working order.

7.5" tall.

3.75" base diam.

2" top diam.

 
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Price: £165.00


Candlestick Brass Postal Balance PS78



Cast Iron Telegraph Pole Plaque PS68
Cast Iron Telegraph Pole Plaque PS68
Original, quality 1920's / 30's curved cast iron plaque for fitting to Telegraph Poles, embossed 'GR' with a crown between and detailing "Persons Throwing Stones at the Telegraphs will be prosected". Much of the original red paint is remaining and all is complete and in good order.

7.5" tall.

5.5" wide.

1.25" front to back.

 
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Price: £145.00


Challenge Letter Balance PS66
Original, quality 1930's / 40's letter balance in pressed tin with nickel mounts and a curved weight detail to the front. This very clean example comes with part of the original box and the original leaflet with the postal rates for the period 1923 to 1940. Complete and in good and working order.

4" tall.

Base 3 ¼" x 2 1/8".

Box 4" x 3.5".

 
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Price: £56.00


Challenge Letter Balance PS66



Halls Patent Letter Balance PS65
Halls Patent Letter Balance PS65
Original, quality sheet brass letter balance in the original matt gilt finish, calibrated with the postal rates for the years 1865 to 1871 and the original green leather covered hinged case. This example was designed by NR Hall in 1863 and is impressed "Hall's Patent" and stamped "Parnell London" for the manufacturer. The case is rather thin at the leather hinge but otherwise in super condition, with the underside impressed for the retailer "Asprey 156 Bond Street and 22 Albemarle Street". Apart from the weakness of the hinge all is complete and in good and working order.

Case 5" x 2.75" x 0.5".

Scale 4.75" x 2.125".

 
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Price: £115.00


Salter Letter Balance PS64
Original, quality pre-war tiny letter balance with its own leather pouch. This example has an ivorine face, a hook to the top and a spring clip beneath. The face is detailed for the maker "Salter", "Made in England" and is calibrated up to four ounces. Complete and in good and working order.

Scale 4.5" x 1" x 0.25".

Pouch 3" x 2.25".

 
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Price: £56.00


Salter Letter Balance PS64



Set of Mordan Brass Postal Scales PS62
Set of Mordan Brass Postal Scales PS62
Original, quality late 19th century superb set of brass letter scales with a full run of original brass weights. All mounted on the rectangular wooden plinth with the top, veneered with coromandel. The beam of this scale is impressed for the maker "S. Mordan & Co London". The weights are all the original with the exception of the one and two ounce ones which are old replacements, the remaining five weights are stamped in a way typical for Mordans "OZ 16", "OZ 8", "OZ 4", "OZ 2" and "OZ ½". The wooden base is mounted on four bun feet, the scale pan to the right shows the postal rates for the year 1885 to 1887 and the left pan is detailed "Book Post, one halfpenny for every two ounces up to 5lbs. Fully overhauled, polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order.

Base 10.5" x 5.5" x 1.25".

Total 5.5" tall x 11" x 5.75".

Price is for the set.

 
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Price: £345.00


Perry & Co Brass Letter Balance PS57
Original, quality late 19th century brass letter scale of the pendulum balance form. This example is calibrated in old pennies and ounces and is for the postage rates from 1885 to 1897 and has the original steel letter clip and top split ring. The pendulum is impressed for the manufacturer "Perry & Co London". Originally nickel plated with traces still to the reverse and now polished brass and lacquered and complete and in good and working order.

6" x 3.25" widest x 0.5" front to back.

 
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Price: £65.00


Perry & Co Brass Letter Balance PS57



Cased Pair of Salter Balances PS37
Cased Pair of Salter Balances PS37
Pair of original, quality, pre-war, nickel plated tubular spring balances. In the original blue velvet and white silk lined leather look paper covered box, with a hinged lid and a pair of clasps. Both these balances are stamped for the maker "Salter" and the one with the spring clip, presumably for letters, is calibrated in ounces up to 16oz and the other, with a hook for parcels? is calibrated in pounds up to 15lbs. All is in near mint condition, probably not seen action and both balances are complete and in good and working order.

Case 9" x 3.75" x 1".

Price is for the set.

 
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Price: £68.00


2 Piece Ceramic Stamp or Envelope Lick SB8
Original, quality 1920's two piece white ceramic stamp / envelope lick of large proportions "office size". This clean example is transfer printed to the front to the maker "Terston Series" with a crown and "Made in England" and with the registration number for the year 1929. Complete and in good and working order.

Water tray base 4.5" x 3".

Total 5" long.

2.5" tall.

 
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Price: £85.00


2 Piece Ceramic Stamp or Envelope Lick SB8



G.P.O Whistle W105
G.P.O Whistle W105
Original, quality 1920's nickel plated and brass tubular whistle impressed "G.P.O" for the General Post Office and detailed for the manufacturer "J. Hudson & Co Barr St Hockley Birmingham". These were used by the Postmen. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. Good and loud and complete and in good and working order.

3.25" x 1.75".

 
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Price: £85.00

Online Catalogue > Postboxes & Postage