Mar 21, 2018 - Quantity: 1 bead, letter as shownThese are 5.5mm sterling silver (stamped.925 on bead) alphabet blocks used in jewelry making. The hole is 3.6mm to 3.9mm. Watch to see the forth of six Starling chicks fledging from the letter box -Day 22. The Sterling classic design post box is manufactured from tough galvanised steel with a secure lock. An outward opening letter flap provides all-round weather protection to keep mail dry, whilst the specially designed narrow post slot provides extra security against post being removed. Mail is retrieved by unlocking the drop front style door. Sterling uses Letterboxd to share film reviews and lists. 142 films watched. Favorites: Stardust (2007), The Princess Bride (1987), The Way Way Back (2013), Dead Poets Society (1989).
Just Postboxes have a complete range of individual and multiple postboxes, letterboxes and mailboxes. We supply everything from the Sterling G2 budget and economy mailboxes through to the Keilbach Glasnost Stainless Steel Designer letterboxes, we also have the complete range from Burg Wachter. Our range of postboxes is vast and includes something for everyone whether you are looking for a mailbox for a commercial business or domestic house we can supply mailboxes that are toploading, wall mounted, freestanding, rear mail retrieval, parcel boxes, modular and banked as well as complete postbox and newspaper holder sets. We have letterboxes made from metal, stainless steel, plastic and even wooden fronted mail boxes. Choosing the right postbox is important and can be a little daunting so if you would like any help selecting the right postbox for you please call us on: 0844 800 0841
Sterling Letter Boxing
Budget and Economy Postboxes
The Just Postboxes economy range includes plastic letterboxes, powder coated metal mailboxes as well as stainless steel post boxes, all of which can be wall mounted or freestanding when fixed to one of our postbox stands. These mailboxes are available with many different configurations, including top opening, rear retrieval, secure locking and large capacity to name just a few and they provide the best value for customers who are working within a set budget. Most of our postboxes are held in stock and can be despatched for next-day delivery.
Rear Mail Collection Postboxes
Just Postboxes stock a complete range of external rear retrieval mailboxes including plastic, metal and stainless steel options which can be mounted to the fence, gate or railings. Whether your requirement is top loading, large capacity, budget or just a particular colour you'd like, you're sure to find a rear access letterbox style to suit you. We stock some of the best postboxes from the UK and Europe from Suppliers such as Sterling, G2 and Burg Wachter - one of Germany's biggest manufacturers of letter boxes.
Free Standing Jumbo Postboxes
The Burg Wachter free standing Jumbo postbox is high capacity and even suitable for one or two users as it has a removable shelf. This mailboxes large capacity means it can be left for a period of time without worry, it also features the insertion format DIN C4 making it suitable for bigger envelopes. The Jumbo is highly secure and the galvanised coated steel material ensures it is extremely weatherproof making it perfect for the external environment.
Wall Mounted Exterior Postboxes
Just Postboxes stock a huge range of wall-moutable mailboxes, many of which have pre-drilled holes for quick and easy installation to your exterior wall. We have a range of letterbox sizes in modern, contemporary styles using materials such as metal, stainless steel and high quality plastic in every colour option whether its a standard black or a more unusual copper! We supply almost every variation from top-loading domestic boxes to modular banked units suitable for flats, housing complexes, schools and commercial use.
Top Loading Postboxes and Letterboxes
Top opening outdoor mail boxes include a letter slot beneath the roof flap to ensure letters are posted easily and remain protected from the weather. The choices for Top loading postboxes are vast and include wall-mounted, free-standing, large capacity and secure options to name but a few. Just Postboxes hold stock of letterboxes in most styles, materials and colours and have something to suit every customer whether you are a home owner requiring an individual unit or a commercial enterprise requiring a more complex solution.
Keilbach Glasnost Stainless Steel Designer Postboxes
The Keilbach Glasnost Range are stainless steel, top loading mail boxes and can be wall mounted or free standing. They are extemely secure and suitable for outdoor use. Glasnost post boxes are both contemporary and unique in their design and have been constructed using high quality stainless steel. Keilbach postboxes are guaranteed to last and feature a slow closing letter flap and security lock. Mail boxes don't have to be boring, these exceptional letterboxes would look great on any domestic house or commercial building.
Modular and Banked Postboxes
Just Postboxes have an extensive range of commercial and domestic modular banked mail boxes. Our modular postboxes are suitable for many applications including schools, universities, housing associations and local councils and can be supplied as individual units or pre-assembled to a configuration of your choice. Some of our popular modular letterboxes are available directly from stock and can be delivered to site at short notice.
Secure Parcel Delivery Boxes
The eBoxx from Burg Wachter is the latest design of parcel box available for the UK. This parcel delivery box is available in 6 different sizes and features an innovative “snap in” security lock, the door of the parcelbox is secured by a 3 point locking system. The whole box is manufactured from powder coated galvanised steel with laser welded seams and is completely corrosion resistant. The boxes are modular in design and can be banked together to make multi-unit parcel box/letterbox systems, there are also 2 stand options available with a concreting in free-standing unit option.
High Impact Plastic Postboxes
Just Post Boxes offer a selection of high impact plastic letter boxes and mail boxes. High quality plastic post boxes offer a modern rust free alternative to steel. The strong impact resistant material is highly corrosion resistant, making these post boxes ideal for coastal properties where salt corrosion can be an issue. These letter boxes are available in a range of contemporary designs and quality colour finishes to suit all tastes and properties. We offer some of the very best postboxes from the UK and Europe which includes the Sterling economy range of postboxes and Burg Wachter, one of Germany's biggest manufacturers of letter boxes.
Postbox Stands and Accessories
Just Postboxes have a superb range of high quality letterbox, mailbox and postbox accessories to complement their postboxes, they include: Keilbach & Burg Wachter Stainless Steel newspaper holders with a wooden, glass or stainless steel finish. Keilbach stainless steel mailbox stands can be used with any post box in the Glasnost range which can be mounted individually. Burg Wachter accessories include a news box, post catcher or mail cage and universal stand.
Large Capacity High Volume Postboxes
Big capacity mailboxes come in many different shapes and sizes, we offer secure large volume external post boxes from Burg Wachter, Sterling and Keilbach. Our large postbox range are weather resistant and secure, these boxes are ideal for people who are away from their property or business for an extended period of time or indeed for those that receive high volumes of mail. Extra large postboxes and parcel boxes are also more secure because the mail falls further away from the postal slot.
Stainless Steel Postboxes and Mailboxes
Just Postboxes have a complete range of external stainless steel postboxes, letterboxes and mailboxes. We stock exceptional quality, award winning Glasnost stainless steel postboxes with modern, contemporary style options to suit domestic or business properties. We sell individual door postboxes and modular option mailboxes that can be banked for use in situations when a multiple unit of postboxes is required - ideal for commercial use, apartments, flats, schools and universities.
Postbox and Newspaper Holder Sets
Letter box and newspaper holder sets are a convenient way to receive your mail and also your daily newspaper. News boxes are also useful for receiving magazines and larger items of post, the newspaper holders in this range are of metal construction and extremely weather resistant. There are two configuration options available; either an intergarated section forming part of the mailbox or a seperate newspaper holder fitted below the postbox.
20th Century Canadian Silversmiths
Below is a discussion of 20th century Canadian Silversmiths and their marks. For information on and 18th and 19th century Canadian makers see our article here.
Henry Birks & Sons
Browse our collection of Birks silver hollowware here.
Birks was by far the largest and most influential silverware manufacturer in Canada during the 20th century. Henry Birks & Company was established in Montreal in 1879 as a retail jeweller. In 1893 Henry Birks’ three sons joined the business and the name was changed to Henry Birks & Sons. In 1897 Birks bought out Hendery & Leslie, their largest supplier of silverware, and began manufacturing their own products. Over the next 50 years, Birks expanded by buying up established jewellers across the country. They also took over their rivals in manufacturing until they had a virtual monopoly on the production and sale of sterling silverware in Canada.
Birks’ earliest production included hollowware and flatware in a few English patterns such as Old English and Fiddle. In 1907 Birks acquired the Gorham Company of Canada and with it the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell several of Gorham’s patterns in Canada such as Chantilly and Pompadour. Birks acquired several more designs from Gorham and other manufacturers later in the century and also designed a few of their own patterns like Tudor and Laurentian. Birks manufactured their own flatware and some of their hollowware in their factory in Montreal up until the early 1990s when the factory was closed and production was moved offshore. In the early part of the century, the factory employed nearly 300 people. Some of their hollowware was purchased from manufacturers in the UK and the US and sold under the Birks label.
Birks sterling marks varied throughout their history which helps us to date their pieces. The earliest Birks silver mark (1879-1897) was a retailer’s stamp of H.B. & Co. added to the pseudo marks of Hendery & Leslie (at this point Hendery & Leslie manufactured Birks silver). Their second mark was introduced when Birks bought out Hendery & Leslie in 1897 and became manufacturers themselves. It included Birks along with the same pseudo marks previously used by Hendery and Leslie: a lion rampant, a sovereign’s head and a date letter.
From 1903 until approximately 1930 Birks sterling hollowware and flatware was marked either with Birks Sterling in the font shown below with serifs or with Birks in a rectangular outline followed by Sterling. During this period pieces are occasionally found with pseudo marks lion, beaver and letter S.
In 1925 Birks received permission from the London assay office to mark their sterling silver with a date letter that corresponded to the London assay office date letter. From this time most of their hollowware was marked with Birks Sterling (no serifs) and a set of pseudo hallmarks that included a sheaf of wheat (Trademarked by Birks), a lion passant, and a date letter that corresponded to the London date letter for the year of production. Their flatware was typically marked simply with Birks Sterling (no serifs), sometimes followed with the date letter and very occasionally with the full set of pseudo marks. In the late 30s, the sheaf-of-wheat mark was replaced by the Canadian National Mark (a Lion’s head surrounded by a C).
By the 1980s Birks marks included the updated version of the national mark, a seated lion(?) and date letters that did not follow the London assay office, shown below left. Birks late 20th century pieces were marked with Birks Sterling and a demi-lion rampant, shown below right.
PW Ellis & Co.
PW Ellis & Co. was established in Toronto in 1879 by Philip W Ellis and Matthew Ellis (both nephews of Toronto silversmith James E Ellis). They produced a wide range of silver hollowware and flatware. Their designs were heavily influenced by styles from England and they manufactured several different flatware patterns including Lancaster Rose, Chippendale, Old English, Old English Thread (Saxon) and Louis XV. Ellis was taken over by Birks in 1928.
The Ellis mark is strikingly similar to Gorham’s, an anchor on its side, an E surrounded by a maple leaf and a lion passant.
Roden Bothers
Established in Toronto in 1891 by Thomas and Frank Roden and continued by their heirs Alfred and Dudley. Roden Brothers produced a wide range of silver hollowware and flatware in traditional English styles. They offered several different flatware patterns including Stratford, Queens, and Louis XV. Goldsmiths Stock Company of Canada were their exclusive selling agents from 1900 to 1922, they were taken over by Birks in 1953.
Roden’s mark included the word Sterling, followed by 925, an R and a lion passant.
Ryrie Bros.
Ryrie Brothers was a retail jeweller established in Toronto in 1897 by James Ryrie who was joined by his brother Harry in 1882. In 1905 the company became a subsidiary of Birks but continued to sell hollowware and flatware under the name Ryrie until 1914 and Ryrie-Birks until 1924 after which they were amalgamated with Birks. Ryrie Brothers were retailers and apparently did not have their own facilities for manufacturing silverware. Most of their products were of high quality and many appear to have been manufactured in the United States.
Carl Poul Petersen
According to his family history, Carl Poul Petersen was apprenticed at George Jensen in Denmark before emigrating to Canada in 1929. He worked intermittently at Henry Birks and Sons in Montreal until 1944 but he set up a studio to do commission work in the late thirties. Petersen opened his permanent studio in 1944 and registered his company, C.P. Petersen & Sons, in 1946.
Unlike his rivals at Birks, Petersen’s production included a lot of hand work and his designs were inspired by the naturalistic forms of Danish silver particularly those designs by Georg Jensen and Johan Rhode. He produced eleven flatware patterns, an extensive range of hollowware, silver and gold jewellery and a line of Judaica. Petersen’s work is by far the most collectible of all the 20th-century Canadian Silversmiths.
C.P. Petersen & Sons was in business until 1979 but the majority of their domestic silver was produced in the late forties and fifties. Petersen is perhaps most famous for his work on behalf of the National Hockey League. He was commissioned to reproduce the Stanley Cup in 1962 and also to make the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Conn Smythe Trophy and the William Masterton Memorial Trophy.
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Petersen’s silver was marked with his trademark PP underlined three times, Sterling, and usually also with Petersen, the words Hand Made and the Canadian National Mark. Browse our collection of Poul Petersen silverhere.
Douglas Boyd
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A little-know silversmith from Richmond Hill Ontario, Douglas Boyd was a founding member of the Metal Arts Guild in 1946. He produced relatively small amounts of handmade hollowware in mid-century styles, typically marked only with his signature and date. He died in 1972.
William Maurice Carmichael
Although he cannot be properly considered one of the major Canadian silversmiths, we have a soft spot for William Maurice Carmichael as he was the only Canadian silversmith of note from British Columbia. While the majority of Carmichael’s production was high-quality silver plate he did make a number of sterling silver articles for his general stock and for special commissions. Carmichael was trained as an engineer and started in business in Victoria in 1920 after returning from the First World War. In 1924 George Bennett Sr., a local silversmith who had trained in Britain joined the firm.
The business grew quickly and offered a wide range of goods that became tremendously popular as wedding and christening gifts. Carmichael produced goods using a combination of hand and machine work and made numerous special commissions including The Thunderbird & Whale Bowl presented to King George V by the Government of British Columbia. Carmichael’s designs were commonly inspired by English silver but also included local elements such as Dogwood flowers and first nations motifs. The shop remained in business until shortly before Carmichael’s death in 1954.
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Carmichael’s earliest mark was W.M.C in a rectangle, and his later mark was an M surrounded by a C in a shield. His sterling pieces include Sterling and the Canadian National Mark (after 1934).
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Emerson Houghton
Born in Birmingham, England in 1889, Emerson Houghton received silversmith training until 1911 when he immigrated to Canada. Houghton settled in Toronto and began working at Roden Bros. Houghton’s Silverware and Plating Ltd. was established in Toronto in 1920 and specialized in ecclesiastical pieces in sterling, silver plate and brass. Houghton passed away in Toronto in 1965 but his business operated until the late 1980s.
The National Mark
In 1934 the Government of Canada instituted a national mark for items made of precious metal that are wholly manufactured in Canada. Canadian silversmiths can only stamp this mark on their pieces in conjunction with a registered trademark. The mark was a lion’s head inside a letter C as shown below left. It was changed to a maple leaf inside a letter C in 1978, shown below right.