From hanalita
After the Union Jack and the Beefeater, probably the most widely recognized symbol of Great Britain is the iconic red telephone box. Stalwart, elegant, even lovable, this 20th-century icon has also now become—in our 24/7 21st Century of GPS, GSM, AT&T, and SMS—a symbol of a faded past, a lost golden epoch of proper, civilized communications. Or something.
Actually for about 20 years now, these most famous telephone booths (Kiosks, if you please) in the world have become increasingly endangered: by the privatization of British Telecom, which wanted to sack them completely; by the rising hegemony of email and cellular communications; and of course by the perennial besotted pubcrawler, seeking a safe place to relieve himself. According to The Guardian, at least 75,000 call boxes still survive throughout the UK, but they are money-losers for BT, and most could face total retirement within a decade.
From johannaneurath
In the mid-1980s, The Twentieth-Century Society mobilized an initial campaign to save the boxes from oblivion; more than 2,000 of the oldest cast-iron kiosks in Greater London were granted a reprieve, by actually being “Listed”—added to the ranks of the United Kingdom’s protected historical buildings of cultural significance. And buildings they are: formally known as “unattended public call offices,” they indeed have four walls, a roof, a door, and often a specially made foundation. However, thousands of modernized travesties of the peerless Kiosk design have already popped up on the streets of London. While the authentic Red Telephone Box will endure, it may soon be stripped of its land lines and cease to function, which would deprive it of its greatest meaning: the embodiment of sterling British utility. That would be uncool, Britannia. Quite.
Scores of Fotolog fanatics seem also to be Red Kiosk aficionados, as you can see from their loving evidence here. Most of these Kiosks are in London, but two are further afield, locations noted in the captions.
From mia
From sharonwatt
From eliahu; Studland Beach, Dorset
From broccoli (left); and discoveringsanna (right)
From cameron_1964
From sisray
From alwayslookaround
From kool_skatkat
All from laffs: Red; Black; Pink
From tedbear; near Seven Sisters, Sussex
From dontbecruel
From dubmill
From virgorama
From palmea; Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Of course there’s lots more great information about Red Telephone Boxes on the Web.
Heritage Elettra has an excellent historical overview of the Kiosks
Redphonebox.info has good information and lots of great pictures, especially of rare boxes
At englishphoneboxes.com, Unicorn Kiosk Restorations, and Eurocosm UK you can buy fully restored, authentic kiosks. At Unicorn you can even get an unrestored box and the supplies to do it yourself!
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69 Responses to “London Calling”
Gabriela @ 2007-10-24 02:27:02 PM says:
omfg
im from argentina and i luv london
aahahahah
those telephones are the most
and a classic!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
palmea @ 2007-10-24 03:37:04 PM says:
there’s one in Chicago too!
http://www1.fotolog.com/palmea/8132836
thaitu @ 2007-10-24 04:34:23 PM says:
there’s one in buenos aires, where I live, but I have no photos
LONDON CALLING (L)
http://www.fotolog.com/clash_city_rock
along @ 2007-10-24 04:58:52 PM says:
awesome Palmea, ADDED!
Geijutsu @ 2007-10-24 05:48:17 PM says:
To the faraway towns!
Agreed with Gabriela, they’re classics
susana @ 2007-10-24 06:45:27 PM says:
aahahhah yo quiero que hayan acáa!!!!
ni si quiera hay cabinas, tan poco creativas las que hay! y en lluvia pa qé decir xD saludos
lilly Ke @ 2007-10-24 06:55:19 PM says:
UHAUHUHAUHAUHUHAUHAHUHUAHUAUH
adooorei *-*
cara, um dia eu conheço Londres ;)
JuliGallagher @ 2007-10-24 07:45:44 PM says:
ohh!! I LOVE LONDON!
Great!!!! LONDON CALLING (L)
kiss! bye!
CARLOS @ 2007-10-24 08:42:26 PM says:
SOMOS LA…DEL MUNDO..
patry @ 2007-10-24 08:43:46 PM says:
hi!
In my fotolog i have the same photo.
I love London!!
patry @ 2007-10-24 08:46:20 PM says:
my fotolog is: headstrong_patry
Diego (from Argentina) @ 2007-10-24 08:53:39 PM says:
I took a look at photo, because it said “London Calling”, the best album, ever.
I love The Clash!!!
Please, take a look at my fotolog and leave a message.
Bye
icon » London Calling @ 2007-10-25 05:36:57 AM says:
[…] Read the rest of this great post here […]
maria @ 2007-10-25 10:33:57 AM says:
I really love LONDON!!!!
when I can go again in some years
I hope I will go.
KISSES
maria @ 2007-10-25 10:35:10 AM says:
I come from URUGUAY
but I´m in an exchange programme
and I´m living in Germany now
for this year.
Aoi @ 2007-10-25 10:38:26 AM says:
THIS DOC RULES!!
LONDON CALLING BEST SONG EVER AND THESE PICS ARE JUST AS LOVELY AS AMAZING!!!
GO LONDON GO!~
Sikmokil @ 2007-10-25 11:36:49 AM says:
Hi!
I’ve just posted a pic of London calling. I travelled it this weekend. it’s very beatifull
bye!!
http://www.fotolog.com/sikmokil
agustina @ 2007-10-25 11:50:20 AM says:
hablann todos ingles, QUE WOOOOOOOOW !
TELEFONO PUBLICO.
tini (:
Liliana @ 2007-10-25 12:15:21 PM says:
that pretty
i love london (L)
lil_garre @ 2007-10-25 12:29:28 PM says:
yeah, I luv london too
it’s so cool (H)
I’ll go there someday
bye!
lil_garre @ 2007-10-25 12:30:16 PM says:
http:://www.fotolog.com/lil_garre
Laura @ 2007-10-25 12:44:48 PM says:
The Clash…
CarOlina @ 2007-10-25 12:57:39 PM says:
:)muii buenO
aca en argetina nO haii ese tipO de telefOnOs publicOs
(= besO
MIRANDA @ 2007-10-25 01:03:51 PM says:
HOLA AMIGO ALEX ESTA PADRE TU FOTO SABES PERO DESEARIA VER MEJOR LAS TUYAS,IGUAL ME TOME EL TIEMPO PARA FIRMARTE TO FLOG OK ESPERO AHORA TE COMUNIQUES MAS CONMIGO PUES TIENE MUCHO TIEMPO QUE NO SE DE TI BYE. UN ABRAZO
Camila @ 2007-10-25 02:46:04 PM says:
Me encanto!!
Mr. Coverdale @ 2007-10-25 04:22:46 PM says:
me no like
andros_xerez @ 2007-10-25 06:06:29 PM says:
Que preciosidad!! yo quiero ir a Londres, ojalá este verano lo consiga,
saludos!
elisa @ 2007-10-25 07:01:22 PM says:
estan muy bonitas las fotografias y los lugares se ven divertidos ojala puedas escribirme y si te interesa conocerme escribeme me gustaria mucho hasta luego bye
palilo @ 2007-10-26 01:20:54 AM says:
muy buena a pic. salu2
yeah @ 2007-10-26 10:12:21 AM says:
nice flog^^
luis @ 2007-10-26 01:11:10 PM says:
hola pura cabinas telefonicas hay bueno no se q desirte
bnuno chau
sunny @ 2007-10-26 01:42:10 PM says:
el mejor dia d mi vida 10-09-2001 en londres
Blonda Girl @ 2007-10-26 02:29:40 PM says:
I really like this blog!!!
its very original, specially the nameee
my favourite song of The Clash
goodd luck!
ANGIE @ 2007-10-26 09:28:29 PM says:
TE QUIERO SOS LA MEJOR LA MAS BUENA Y LA MAS CALLADITA Y TRANQUILITA TE CONOSCO DESDE PRIMER GRADO Y ME DI CUENTA DE QUE SOS MUY BUENA INTELIGENTE Y TE FELICITO POR HABER IDO A LA BANDERA TE LO MERECIAS
LA MEJOR SOS MUY BUENA Y TAMBIEN SIMPATICA
ANGIE
A.S @ 2007-10-27 12:30:41 PM says:
me gustan todas las fotos
son todas limdas
sammy @ 2007-10-27 02:51:31 PM says:
oye que chido es tu flog eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Candyy @ 2007-10-27 07:19:31 PM says:
Holazz
me rre paze..
soii de Argentinaa..
pero habloo ingles!!
okeyy.
byee
i likee your flotolog page..!!
kiss kiss
shoo↓↓
♥♦__camdii__♦♥
Camila @ 2007-10-27 07:34:52 PM says:
Um dia eu conheço Londres!! É lindo demais!!
E eu amo esses telefones!! =D
____________________________________________________
Some day I know London!! It is beautiful too!!
And I love these phones!! =D
Nico @ 2007-10-27 08:14:58 PM says:
when I went to Mendoza i wanted see those phones, but there were none u,u
creo que tendré que ir a londres xD
ivonne @ 2007-10-27 08:47:56 PM says:
q chida esta tu flog
Layla @ 2007-10-28 07:52:50 AM says:
I love London…
I´m from Brazil…
sou apaixonada por Londres… não sei se você esta me entendendo… mais eu adorei essas foto… photos =)
^^
beijos… :***
kissess
Layla @ 2007-10-28 07:56:11 AM says:
kisses kisses
tamyreyna15 @ 2007-10-28 09:22:45 AM says:
holyyyyy yo soy de bs as esta bueno eso
de tener telefono en todos lados…
jaja
les mando saludos bsssss……………..
Ian @ 2007-10-28 09:34:14 AM says:
JAJJAAJAJAJAJJA muy bueno
saludos a todos :D
arturo @ 2007-10-28 02:31:31 PM says:
bueniiisimo!
jessy_vakerita22 @ 2007-10-28 07:10:34 PM says:
AJAJAJAJAJAJJA :P!!!!
RECUERDO CUANDO ANDABA DE VAGACIONES X ALLA :D!!!!
DQ NOMBREEE OSEAA CHE LNDS DEVERÍA DE LLAMARSE LADRILLOLANDIA :P!!!!
STA BIEN BONISHOOOO :D!!!!! PERO NAAAMAS PA´IR A TURISTIAR, PA QUEDARSE A VIVIR ALLA COMO QUE NOOOOO :P!!!!
AJAJAJAJA ¬¬ SALUDOS ;)!!!!!
Y KISSES DE CHOCOLATE A TODOS!!!!
BbYyEe!!!!!!
maskarreras @ 2007-10-28 07:14:17 PM says:
Yo no se que es esto pero pasaba por aquí y así hago propaganda de mi web.
meriodetiii @ 2007-10-28 08:08:13 PM says:
soy muy cool esas cabinas ! io tengo fotos ahi ( L )
tomas @ 2007-10-28 09:14:14 PM says:
Ayy qe lemdas fotos =)
Me parece qe mee voii a copiiar una y postteo =þ
Whenoo
Saludoos
http://www.fotolog.com/gerez paseen =)
tomas_gerez_ger@hotmail.com AGREGUEN =)
rebeca @ 2007-10-29 09:39:00 AM says:
I LOve LONDON! *-*
S2
FRANCISKA ( CHILE) @ 2007-10-29 05:16:07 PM says:
AAA LINDA PICK
WENO IO SOLO ANDABA X AKA DE PASO
X K SALIO DE LA NADA Y NO SE K MAS AJJAJAJAJA
IA XAUSSSSSSS
FRANCISKA ( CHILE) @ 2007-10-29 05:34:58 PM says:
Hello!
Good I not much of Englishman had that translating by means of a page jajajaja well alone I want to say that pretty the photos it looks like that here many people speak an Englishman jajaja chow that esten good and kisses look after themselves
onestepbeyond @ 2007-10-29 07:08:21 PM says:
The clash 4ever
LONDON CALLING (8)
Mary @ 2007-10-30 03:22:29 AM says:
London calling to the faraway towns
now war is declared and battle come down!
Wooooooooooow
Beautiful this post :)
byeee
chaque @ 2007-10-30 11:08:13 AM says:
buena pics
que andes bien
suerte
misael @ 2007-10-30 11:09:32 AM says:
lindaS fotOos X)
http://www.fotolog.com/miz4el_lokiyo_22 @ 2007-10-30 11:10:43 AM says:
saludOs lindaZ fOtoS
qe estes bn bye, XD
francisca @ 2007-10-30 01:29:49 PM says:
saktee un telefono…y mee reggalay uno amii q no puedo llamar a miiss miinos xfiiss!!!
me gusto el rosado y cual es el tuiioo
yesenia @ 2007-10-30 02:04:26 PM says:
hey! hola esta muy padre tus fotos
nataly @ 2007-10-30 03:47:51 PM says:
bkn
Esperanza @ 2007-10-30 05:10:25 PM says:
Me encantaria agun día visitar La gran bretaña.
Especificamente Inglaterra. y la ciudad de Londres
es mi sueño
guada @ 2007-10-30 06:23:56 PM says:
AMO A THE CLASH!!
AMO LONDON CALLING!!
UN CLASICO
sarahy @ 2007-10-30 07:04:03 PM says:
hola amiga
la_karii @ 2007-10-31 08:54:56 AM says:
=D
buenas piC
me encantan
Luis @ 2007-10-31 09:47:35 AM says:
Hizo falta la cabina telefonica de BANKSY, una que estab doblada por la mitad y con un hacha.
Creo que la obra la hizo en 2005 o 2006. Pero esa es muy buena tambien.
fertxuz @ 2007-10-31 10:26:06 AM says:
adoro the clash
faltyo estuve en la cabina negra y en akel momento me parecio una chorrada sacarme una foto xq pensaba q habria mas x todas partes pero noo
menos mal q tengo una foto con el taxi rosa
akua95 @ 2007-10-31 01:49:14 PM says:
The London callings are the best things of London. I think there’re a piece of art! I never been to London, but if I go I’m going to take photos of them.
Bye, friends!
A catalan girl!
Mar; @ 2007-10-31 02:39:12 PM says:
genial! es mui bueno besitos a todos los fotologenses (?) jhhaja besoo :)
Luke @ 2008-04-06 09:46:49 AM says:
muy buenas photos me gustaronn mucho!!!…
Abrazoo…
y saludos a todos…=)
