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Mailboxes of New England

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Home Team
Cow Mailbox

Today in the Norwich Bulletin, our local newspaper, is a story that involves 2 neighbors fighting over a busty mailbox.  Yes, I said "busty"  not rusty.  Two neighbors on Route 44 in Pomfret, CT are fighting over a mailbox disguised as a busty mermaid.  It seems that the creator feels the mailbox is "artistic expression".  Her neighbor does not agree and thinks it is driving her property value down. Although on private property, the US Postal Service does have regulations on the size and dimension of the mailbox, but not on how it is decorated. 

Many homeowners in Eastern Connecticut have curbside mailboxes which are served by postal trucks.  I've always loved how creative some folks can be in regards to their mailboxes. Over the years,  I've  had a few listings where the remarks for buyers read "mailbox does not convey", due to the personal nature of their mailbox creations.   I thought decorating mailboxes was a New England thing until I came across this website about the subject. It appears that I'm not the only one fascinated by home built mailboxes.  There are plenty of cute, funny and unique mailboxes on the site, but I especially liked the ones I would categorize as "clever".  My personal favorite was the "hammer" mailbox in Boone, NC. I also found a wonderful poster called "Mailboxes of Altadena", a collection of mailboxes found in Altadena, CA.  I think that would be a wonderful project, and now instead of just admiring the mailboxes when I see them, I'll capture them for a future poster or perhaps, a jumbo postcard.  I don't think I'll include the busty mermaid.  But if you are interested, you'll find the photos and story HERE.

Comments (18)

Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO

of course I like the busty mailbox :-)

and the graphic is perfect for Angus.  Good idea about the postcard! Why be boring when you don't have to yes?

Feb 02, 2007 11:45 AM
Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC
if a mailbox drives down house values there are probably other, bigger issues at play.  what will people argue about next?  if i hear about this hitting court tv I may go after someone.
Feb 02, 2007 12:18 PM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
Of course we have our own mailbox issues here in Bloomfield Hills.  Ours are not so 'colorful' but people are spending some seriously big bucks on them for their estate homes.
Feb 02, 2007 12:22 PM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

Carole - perfect for Angus, speaking of which, I miss moo.  He hasn't been around much since the dashboard changed.

Phil - None.  I think there is a whole lot more to the story as Leigh mentioned.

Maureen - quite interesting!!  I'm going to update this post for my other blog and I'll have to link to you and that story.

Feb 02, 2007 12:36 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Busty is cute!  We have lots of dolphins and fish as mailboxes here.
Feb 03, 2007 04:57 AM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN
Linda: Oh good grief! Hey—This gives me an idea! Maybe Med & I could go back into business creating and selling yard & mailbox art guaranteed to tick off neighbors!
Feb 03, 2007 07:20 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
Linda, I don't think I have ever seen one of those before.  After this article there will probably be curious people that will drive by to see it, and who knows maybe one of them will want to buy this other person's house.  If that happens, does it mean that "Busty" gets part of the commission????
Feb 03, 2007 11:42 AM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

George - Don't be a boob.  No commission for busty.

Jay - LOL or you could sell insurance not to create them for the neighbor.

Sharon - You could do a Florida poster of mailboxes with an aquatic theme!

Feb 03, 2007 11:55 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
Now Linda my mind wasn't even on that......LOL
Feb 03, 2007 12:01 PM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT
I know that George, but I thought I'd keep you abreast of the situation.
Feb 03, 2007 12:21 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Linda, very good....LOL 

That comment alone deserves (5) points!!!

Feb 03, 2007 01:07 PM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

Linda: Oh good grief (again)! This conversation seems to be devolving from “G” into “PG-13” range!

Jay
Feb 03, 2007 08:25 PM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT
Thanks for the reminder Jay.  This is one of my few localism blogs so I need to keep it out of the "R" rating range. 
Feb 03, 2007 11:07 PM
Virginia Halter
RE/MAX Signature Properties - Harrisburg, NC
ABR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, SFR, SRES
People will argue over anything.  What a hoot.  Aren't you glad you aren't that uptight!  Happy Sunday!
Feb 04, 2007 04:56 AM
Teri Isner
Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL
GRI, CRS, CIPS
Linda can't remember when I have seen a cow in so much snow!
Feb 04, 2007 11:59 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate
I have seen some interesting mailboxes here but nothing like the mermaid..
Feb 07, 2007 12:16 AM
Anonymous
mimi

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Feb 01, 2009 02:15 AM
#18