English Brass Letter Plate, Circa 1900

A genuine English letter plate in cast brass, pulled from a period front door. The cartouche-form body with its scrolled and canted outline is what sets this apart from the plain rectangular plates that defined the later 20th century. "LETTERS" is cast in raised serif block lettering across the recessed front slot, and the original coiled spring mechanism on the back is intact and functional, holding the inner flap open against tension as it always would have. The natural patina across the face is exactly what you want on a piece like this.

[d]Type | Letter plate (door hardware)

[d]Material | Cast brass

[d]Origin | England

[d]Age | Late Victorian to Edwardian, circa 1890 to 1915

[d]Size | 3.75 in H x 8 in W

[d]Spring mechanism | Original coiled iron spring, intact and functional

[condition]

Good antique condition overall. The front face shows a warm, unpolished brass patina with areas of deeper oxidation and green verdigris concentrated in the recesses of the lettering and slot surround, consistent with age and outdoor exposure. No cracks or losses to the casting. The slot opens and closes as intended. The back shows heavy overall oxidation and some surface corrosion on the iron spring components, which are structurally sound. A rectangular plaster or clay infill block is present on the back, original to the mounting hardware. The interior trim piece is not present.