The Letterbox With a Crown

The Letterbox With A Crown Vivek Gadre (Atlas Obscura User)

The Pune Head Post Office, or the Pune GPO (General Post Office) as it is popularly known, is housed in a grand 19th-century stone building constructed during the British era.

The architectural style pays tribute to the works of the 16th-century Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, who inspired several institutional buildings during Victorian times.

A bright red letterbox stands on the premises of the post office complex, next to the porch. Its top is adorned with the design of the crown of Queen Elizabeth II. According to the information plaque, all the letters sent through this particular letterbox undergo cancellation with the special pictorial stamp of the Pune Head Post Office.

A picture of the pictorial stamp is displayed on the top of the plaque for curious visitors. The stamp says “Philatelic Bureau Pune” along with the date. Next to it is the picture of the building. It’s a fascinating stamp for its heritage value; one which will be of particular interest to collectors and people with an affinity towards philately.

According to sources, this is one of the very few letterboxes in the country that have the design of the crown on them.

Know Before You Go

This letterbox stands within the post office premises, near the main porch.

Additional things to see: Next to the letterbox, there is another information plaque that marks the spot from where Pune's elevation from sea level is measured. Beneath the plaque is the spot, protected by a neat glass window.

Also, in front of the letterbox, in the garden, there are two red stones where, once upon a time, elephants and horses (which were used to carry mail) were anchored.

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