The Letterbox With a Crown in Pune, India

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.