modbox USA introduces design
based on 1961 Sears Diamond Jubilee model
Finally — there’s a midcentury modern style mailbox on the market that will complement the exterior of your retro ranch. Greg Kelly, founder of modbox USA has already begun production on the first batch of mailboxes and is taking pre-orders, so expect to see them popping up soon in a suburb near you.
The devil is in the details — and after a long restoration project, finding those special finishing touches can be an exhausting task in itself. But imagine for a moment if that final finishing touch was nowhere to be found. Would you be compelled to do copious amounts of research, design work and even go as far as starting a company to make it available to other midcentury enthusiasts? That’s exactly what Greg Kelly, founder of modbox USA set out to do with his midcentury mailbox design, which he based off of a 1961 design from the Sears Diamond Jubilee catalog. Back in June, Greg launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise the money he needed to begin production on his modbox design. Today, he is hard at work getting the first boxes fabricated and shipped out to Kickstarter backers and taking pre-orders for mailboxes and posts for non-Kickstarter backers through his website.
With so much excitement surrounding the first run of midcentury mailboxes, I contacted Greg’s to ask about his longterm plans for modbox USA and whether there would be more mailbox designs in his future. Greg replied:
Website Sales –
My current plan is to continue selling direct to consumers via the modbox website. During and after the Kickstarter I had a number of Mid-Century Modern focused retail stores show interest in carrying the modbox (to include Bobby Berk Home). So, I will look into a dual sales distribution strategy: 1) direct to consumer, and 2) through MCM focused retail stores. Hip Haven seems to be having success with this.
New Product Designs –
I kept an eye out for cool wall mounted designs while searching on Ebay over the past 9+ months. Nothing has stood out like the modbox, but I’ve collected some general ideas. Early next year I would like to release a wall mounted design. I will likely incorporate the same or similar color options. A lot of folks have been asking for something!
The Future –
First and foremost, continue to make the modbox available to mid-century enthusiasts! With each future fabrication run I would like to offer a special edition modbox with a new two-tone color combination.
I am also considering introducing an ultra sleek anodized aluminum modbox (not powder coated), and expanding the product line to include a wall mounted mid-century mailbox.
My neighborhood is full of midcentury homes from the 50s and 60s, some of which have mailboxes that are very similar to Greg’s modbox design out front. As a Kickstarter backer of modbox USA — I ordered the all black mailbox — I am super excited for mine to arrive later this summer. Once I have my box in hand (or out on the post) I’ll be sure to add an update here. Kudos to Greg for going above and beyond the call of duty and taking his quest for a midcentury mailbox one step further by making it available to all us retro-philes.
Where to check out all the designs: Modbox USA
Disclosure: modbox USA has become and advertiser on the blog — but note, this story is not part of “the deal.”
nina462 says
Just what I was looking for! I’ll be sure to order one…..now, I’d like the fancy lettering that one used to be able to buy. It was black, and was on top of the mail box, sometimes it was the name or the address….according to my old catalogues/magazines they were made in Colorado. Of course, that was in the 1950’s –
Caryn says
Nina, you’re in luck! I drooled over those ads in my 50s & 60s Better Homes & Gardens mags for a while, then after much google time I found the exact same company who still makes the SAME designs!! The company is Spear Engineering in Colorado Springs, Colorado and you can reach them at 719-471-9850. I talked to a sweet lady named Judy and ordered an address/name topper for our mailbox. From what I understood, it’s only a few people who work there so be patient if you do place an order. It took a while to get it, but it’s soooo worth the wait!!
I just tried looking them up and cannot find the website anymore with the designs pictured, so I hope they are still in business. It was March 2013 when I ordered mine. Good luck!
Pam & Kate, this might make a great follow-up story to go along with these mod mailboxes 😉
nina462 says
Thanks …. yes, Spear Mfg was the company! While I’d love one of these mailboxes…they are too pricey for me. And considering mailboxes of this order were about $5-$8 in the catalogue (I checked) – I cannot justify the added expense. But I do wish them the best in their adventure 🙂
nina462 says
Pam/Kate……I contacted Spears Mfg., by sending them a copy of an old advert & asked them if they still make the nameplates…..they DO!! They responded by sending me an order form for their Day N Night glow in the dark markers.
I will be sending you a scanned copy of this!!
Scott says
This is one of those rare occasions where you see something that is absolutely perfect, no “only-ifs” just 100% fantastic as is. I’m impressed.
Hopefully the built-in model (which is what I would need) will be just as snappy. I’ll be eagerly waiting and hopefully RR can update the story when its ready.
Valerie says
Fabulous! If we hadn’t found a great mailbox locally I would surely be buying one of these. I suppose it’s too early to say how much damage these boxes can take, but for anyone like midmichigan that needs a super heavy duty box that won’t be destroyed by anything such as a baseball bat, check out the PBZ Steel Mailbox: http://www.paulbhardware.com/homeWorkplace/mailboxes.php
It has a nice sleek look and for our mcm house, the box kind of mimics the shape of our house. We we are able to buy ours at the store, but I believe if you call them, they will ship and can even powdercoat it a custom color. We stuck with black, but had a sign shop die-cut reflective sticker vinyl (in aqua) for our house number and street name. We adhered it to both sides and also had some gold starburst made as well. It looks super sleek and so retro, especially since we used House Industries Las Vegas Fabulous font!
Sheila says
I love this mailbox! I finally went for the urban letterbox from New Zealand via boxdesignusa.com and wish I’d waited as I like this one more.
Steve H says
Neato! I would buy one, but I’ve got a mail slot which I really like. Maybe I could get one for the kitchen and use it as a bread box. Flag up = out of bread.
Kate says
That’s a fun idea Steve! 🙂
Mary Elizabeth says
Steve, I need one of those “out-of-bread” flags on my refrigerator! 🙂 I have never got a breadbox that didn’t end up with mold spores in it, so all my bread gets moldy. Hence, I have to put it in the fridge or the freezer.
Craig says
Love this!! I am currently looking for a wall mounted box for a new fence that’s going in across the front of our home….so let’s hurry it up on that wall mounted mailbox, please!
Kelly Montano says
I love the Modbox mailbox. We don’t have freestanding mailboxes in our neighborhood, so I am excited about a future wall mounted design.
Debra says
Fabuloso!! I love these and will be ordering. Thanks for thinking of the finishing touch!
Jenny A. says
I want one of these mailboxes so much but, unfortunately, we live in a neighborhood where the mail carrier drives up to the boxes and the boxes are clumped in groups on a single pole. Our mailbox is in the middle of a group of three and no one would even see it. These mailboxes are quite lovely, though, and I’ve spotted one of the originals in our neighborhood in a yard with a rare single box.
midmichigan says
Very cool and they bring back old memories. I need one made of quarter inch thick steel with break-away hinges. Those darn kids….