Great Britain - The Imperforate Issues (1840-1853)

Cancellation using Red Ink


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On 25 April 1840, shortly before the introduction of the 1d black and 2d blue for postal validity from 6 in May 1840, a circular was sent to all Postmasters (and Sub-Postmasters) with clear instructions on how the new Postage Stamps were to be cancelled. This gave instructions on the use of the Obliterating Stamp, now commonly referred to as the Maltese Cross cancellation, and the colour of ink to be used.
 

 

It has been decided that Postage Stamps are to be brought into use forthwith, and as it will be necessary that every such Stamp should be cancelled at the Post Office or Sub-Post Office where the Letter bearing the same be posted, I herewith forward, for your use, an Obliterating Stamp, with which you will efface the Postage Stamp upon every Letter despatched from your Office.  Red Composition must be used for this purpose and I annex directions for making it, with an impression of the stamp.

As the stamps will come into operation by the 6th of May, I must desire you will not fail to provide yourself with the necessary supply of Red Composition by that time.

Directions for Preparing the Red Stamping Composition,

1 lb. Printer’s Red Ink.
1 Pint Linseed Oil.
Half-pint of the Droppings of Sweet Oil.

To be well mixed”


It is clear that Postmasters were required to obtain their own supplies of red ink with which to cancel the stamps and this accounts for the wide variety of shades pf cancellations encountered.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plate 2 CH

[CH] plate 2, from Dublin to Croydon dated 15 May 1840,
cancelled with an orange-red Maltese cross of Dublin
and then a red-brown Maltese cross of London
Dublin diamond (15 MY 40) and London Tombstone (17 MY 1840) in colours matching the respective crosses
 

 

 

Varying shades of red Maltese Cross
 

Plate 3 OE
Plate 3 OD
Plate 5 CB
Plate 1a CJ

[OE] cancelled with
a bold red Maltese cross

 

[OD] cancelled with
 a bright red Maltese cross

[CB] cancelled with
an orange-red Maltese cross

[CJ] cancelled with
a red Maltese cross

Plate 1a ME
Plate 6 ME
Plate 1b IH
Plate 1a SL

[ME] cancelled with
 an orange-red Maltese cross

[ME] cancelled with
a ruby Maltese cross [e]

[IH] cancelled with
a red Maltese cross

[SL] cancelled with
a red Maltese cross
shows heavy shifted transfer
 

Plate 3 RK

[RK] plate 3, from Tan-y-Bwlch to Oxford, dated 29 August 1840,
cancelled with a red Maltese cross
Carnarvon transit datestamp on reverse
 


Plate 7 AD

[AD] plate 7, local London dated 9 August 1840,
cancelled with a red Maltese cross

then redirected to Cranbrook on 10 August 1840 and subsequently to Huntly on 11 August 1840

One redirection has the addition of [LK] plate 2,
cancelled with a red Maltese cross in a different shade

On redirection has a Manuscript “1” in black denoting 1d due on arrival
 


Brown and Red-Brown Maltese Crosses
 

Plate 3 TB

[TB] plate 3, from Gateshead to Barnard Castle, dated 25 October 1840,
cancelled with a brown Maltese cross

 

 

Plate 4 TJ

 

 

[TJ] plate 4, cancelled with
 brown Maltese crosses of Winchcomb

 

 

Plate 1a RB
Plate 1a BA
Plate 1a AI
Plate 3 GI

[RB] cancelled with
a red-brown Maltese cross

 

[BH] cancelled with
a dark red Maltese cross

[AI] cancelled with
a brown Maltese cross [e]

[GI] cancelled with
a red Maltese cross


Plate 2 OE

[OE] plate 2, from Bristol to Chepstow, dated 25 September 1840,
cancelled with a vermillion Maltese cross of Bristol

 

Plate 2 SI

[SI] plate 2, from Newton Stewart to Edinburgh, dated 4 July 1840,
cancelled with a purple-maroon Maltese cross of Newton Stewart [e]