Peculiar Postmarks

THE PHILATELIC REGISTER is owned, published and edited by Ian Lasok-Smith

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Ian Lasok-Smith.  Owner, Publisher and Editor “The Philatelic Register”

Philatelic Traders Society (Gold Membership)

The Scroll (Hooded Circle) Cancellation.

In the late 19th century a distinctive and many think attractive datestamp appeared. Initially employed for certain special purposes e.g Royal Household mail, government departments…their use gradually expanded and were in ordinary use in the Irish offices of Cork, Waterford, Londonderry and Limerick (the “Cowall” cancellations).

Links are provide below to some articles and the correspondence they generated that were published in Stamp Colleccting Weekly in 1974 and 1976.

The Handstruck Scroll Cancellation

C.F.K. Goldthorpe M.A.  July 25th 1974

 

Handstruck Scroll Cancellations Correspondence

 

A Unique Edward VII Scroll Cancellation

G.V. Eltrigham,  F.R.P.S.L.  August 29th 1974

 

The Experimental Scroll Cancellations.

Peter A. Forrestier Smith  January 22nd 1976

There’s Something About Slogans

In a short article published in “Stamp Collecting Weekly” March 13th 1964″, C. Baker provides a brief introduction to slogan cancellations including advice on how best collected and what to look out for. It is an area where relatively scarce material may still be found cheaply by those with a little bit of knowledge. The article may be downloaded from the attachment below.

Something About Slogans

“Essex Post Goes and Coms. Every Day”

In an article published in “Stamp Collecting Weekly” April 10th 1964, L. J. Johnson summarised the development of postal services in Essex. From the end of the 15th century with the use of casual travellers, through the introduction of more regular services with the advent of stage coaches in the 18th century to the present day (1964)

Essex Post. Goes and Coms. Every Day

The GB Sixpenny Definitive Aerogrammes of Queen Elizabeth 1954-1964

In 1965 according the G.P.O. 65 million airletters were posted annually

In “Stamp Collecting Weekly” March 12th and March 19th issues 1965   articles by I.H.C Godfrey  were published providing significant detail about the Sixpenny aerogrammes including the characteristics of various printings, and a checklist of the known varieties at the time. These articles are available for downloading from link below.

The 6d Definitive Aerogrammes

Inns as Post-Towns

After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, new roads were laid down by passing small towns. A consequence of this was that a change of horses drawing mail coaches now often needed to be undertaken a long distance from a town, often at a convenient inn. In time these inns became Official Receiving Houses.

In the article attached below from “Stamp Collecting Weekly” February 7th 1964, W.G. Stitt Dibden describes this evolution.

Inns as Post-Towns

Britains First Aerial Post

Recollections of Britain’s First Aerial Post

               

Harry Harper (1880-1960) was an aviation author who witnessed and documented the exploits of many of the early pioneers of flight. In Stamp Collecting Weekly March 10th and March 17th issues in 1951 (attachment below) he documented his recollections of being witness to Britain’s First experimental airmail flights. (image of Harry Harper from Epsom & Ewell History Explorer)

AirmailRecollections

The History of the British Army Postal Service

In issues 6 t0 11 of the fortnightly publications of The Philatelic Register in 2021 I serialised the history of the development of the British Army Postal Service from Saxon times to the present day.  The serialisation is attached below

Origins to 1840

Crimean War 1854 to Royal Warrant 1882

1882 t0 1913 incl. Boer War

World War I 1914-1918

World War II 1939-1945

World War II to Royal Logistics Corps 1993

Bognor Skeleton Postmarks

“Skeleton” postmark is the term given to a temporary postmark used at an office to cover a period of time when the normal or regular handstamp was unavailable due to being lost or damaged. Use of such postmarks was infrequent and for short periods, hence they are relatively scarce. In the attached article  by D. R . Atkinson from Stamp Collecting Weekly” March 13th 1964 the relatively prolific use of such postmarks from one office is described.

      Skeleton Postmarks of Bognor

More Skeleton Postmarks of Bognor  (added 31st March 2024)