Treasures on the streets : conserving in-service cast-iron postboxes in Hong Kong

Abstract

Have you ever thought of the cast-iron postboxes on the streets when people are talking about heritage assets in Hong Kong? Standing silently on the streets, the cast-iron postboxes (which are manufactured in the United Kingdom) have been serving the general public after their arrival in Hong Kong, in which the oldest operational ones are now more than 70 years old.

In recent years, these postboxes are claimed by the Hongkong Post as prone to deterioration or unfit for current operational needs, while there are public outcries for conserving these postboxes. So, are these postboxes worthy of conservation? Are they really in poor condition or no longer fit for use? To answer these questions, this dissertation tries to analyze why the in-service cast-iron postboxes in Hong Kong are not covered by the current conservation framework for tangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong. The historical development of these postboxes is also reviewed for understanding these postboxes and assessing their cultural significance. Recent development of these postboxes are also looked into, so as to get the different standpoints held by the Hongkong Post and the public who concerned about the conservation issues of these postboxes.

Finally, by making reference to some overseas experiences in conserving historic postboxes, conservation policies and guidelines are recommended for the in-service cast-iron postboxes in Hong Kong based on their existing physical condition and current circumstances.