I wonder if the Ads department wanted to get in touch with those Box holders because there was an issue with the ad–maybe they couldn’t read it? The editor put a snippet at the end that advised posters to write carefully, as sometimes they can’t translate the handwriting. But maybe it also had to do with the content of the ad–like it was too sexual or the person was underage? Or maybe they’re a repeat ad poster and they haven’t given them a return address.

What I’ve always understood Box #s are alike the United States PO Box system. But then it was especially important in LGBTQ news contexts because you wouldn’t want just anyone to have your address. A lot of papers made people buy a box, so they wouldn’t post the address in the paper, because then homophobes could show up at their house, or doxx them.

That’s just my 2 cents, as a person who researches a lot in the queer personal ads.