The LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair in London's Mayfair district will feature several rare historical artifacts this week. Among the most notable items is a miniature 1875 British postal box that stands only 18 inches tall.
The £17,500 red-painted 18-inch postal box
An 18-inch miniature postal box from 1875 is expected to be a centerpiece of the upcoming LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair in Mayfair. As reported by the source, antiques dealer Mark Goodger is offering the item for £17,500. This price is significantly higher than the £8,500 to £9,000 typically seen for oak versions of such boxes. The rarity of this specific piece stems from its Royal Mail red paint, a color seldom applied to miniature models which were traditionally left in their natural wood color.
This miniature design follows the tradition established by English artist Richard Redgrave, who designed the first standard pillar post box in 1856. These smaller versions likely served as convenient posting statioons in the foyers of grand country houses or luxury hotels, allowing both residents and local villagers to mail correspondence easily.
A £45,000 horn casket for King Edward VII
The fair will also host a silver-mounted horn casket valued at £45,000. This 1901 piece was originally intended for Queen Victoria but was instead presented to King Edward VII by the Worshipful Company of Horners following the Queen's death in January 1901. the casket is meticulously constructed from British bullock horn and features silver gilt straps chased in an early English style.
Alongside these royal items, collectors can find luxury goods like an 1880 Leuchars coromandel decanter. This piece features the engraved crest of the McCarthy Reagh family, depicting a lizard held in a fist alongside the family motto: "Strong, Courageous and Swift." Such items highlight the intersection of high-society utility and bespoke craftsmanship during the late Victorian era.
The 1793 tea caddy and the French Revolution
A 1793 papier-mâché tea caddy by Henry Clay England offers a glimpse into the political tensions of the late 18th century. Standing just six inches high, the item features a low-relief plaster composition portrait of King Louis XVI. According to the report, this unusual decoration reflects the intense British fascination with the events of the French Revolution, particularly following the execution of the King in January 1793.
The mystery of the missing post box provenance
The exact history of the 1875 miniature postal box remains an unanswered question for potential buyers. Mark Goodger noted that the provenance of the item was missing when he acquired it from another antiques dealer. While Goodger suggests this lack of documentation is common for items of this age, several specifics remain unverified.
It is currently unknown whether the box was specifically intended for a hotel or a private country estate,nor is there a record of its previous owners. Furthermore, while the dealer claims the red paint makes it one of only a handful in existence, the source does not provide independent verification of how many other red-painted miniatures currently exist in private collections.
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