One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of the Maltese islands (48)
Cast iron telephone booths
One of the types of street furniture present in Malta is the red, cast-iron telephone booths which are a legacy of the British Period in the Maltese islands. The booths present in Malta are those known as the K6 model, also known as the "Jubilee Kiosk". These were introduced in 1936 and remained as the norm for over 30 years. A Mark 2 was introduced in 1939 since the earlier version was deemed to be too prone to vandalism and theft. It is difficult to distinguish between the two as the main difference is the cable entry at the back. The periods when the booths were manufactured are easily distinguishable from the Royal Crown at the top of the booth.
In Malta there are 68 surviving such telephone booths, 18 of which are pre 1953 while the rest are of the Elizabeth II period.
Telephone Booths have gained local iconic importance and are replicated in miniature as souvenirs and feature in postcards and publications about Malta's heritage.
Mepa scheduled the cast-iron street Telephone Booths in Malta and Gozo as Grade 2 national monuments as per Government Notice no. 829/07 in the Government Gazette dated September 10, 2007.
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Angus Mac Kinnon
Oct 10th 2009, 17:32
Having spent some 16 months in Malta, in the late 60s, and numerous short visits since, am amazed that I never spotted any of these iconic examples of the British 'period' when on the Island. With 68 of these distinctive kiosks still in existence, I must go around with my eyes closed ! Good for Malta grading these as desrcibed, although a non-Maltese creation they nonetheless represent another page of the fascinating history of these unique Islands.
Frank Portelli 2BFRANK
Oct 10th 2009, 11:43
The British Telphone booth was designed by an Architect - Giles Gilbert Scott
(Later Sir)
Sir Gilbert Scott also designed Battersea Power Station , Liverpool Cathedral and the new University Library in Cambridge
He also designed Waterloo Bridge.
Scott died in 1960
Some of these telephone booths were later made of concrete !!
They remain part of our heritage - and visually pleasing
Dr Frank Portelli