A mailbox having a direct illumination lighting system in which light is directed downward so as to shine on an address plate or other sign is disclosed. The control gate is spaced laterally of the access gate. The top surfaces of the screw, the insert and the clamp plate being substantially coplanar. The device can be constructed in a simple manner by virtue of the fact that the oblique surface is inclined in a perpendicular position with respect to the direction of travel of the switch and the displacement path of the push element extends in a transversal manner with respect to the direction of travel.