British Parliamentary MailThe Professor Shaul Ladany CollectionHistorical Letters |
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x 1690 (15 May) wrapper to The Excise Office in London marked "ffrank, A member of Parliament" with manuscript rate deleted, the reverse bears a fine strike of the small Bishop Mark "MA/15". Also 1698 (5 Jan.) wrapper to "Wm. Guidott Esq., member of Parliament in Lincolns Inn Field" with rate mark and the large Bishop mark on the reverse; light soiling. (2 covers) £120-150
William Guidott (1671-1743) was a Member of the Parliament for Andover for seven parliaments between 1708 and 1727
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x 1702 (c.) neat wrapper "To the right Worshiple Edward Clarke Esq., a member of the honorable house of Comons, to be left at ye Parliament house, London", with "3" rate mark and a good strike of small, first type examiner's Crown handstamp in black (Willcocks & Jay L150) and with indistinct Bishop mark on the flap. A fine and delightful cover. Photo £100-120
Edward Clarke (died 1723) was a Whig Alderman and a worsted weaver, Clarke was elected mayor in 1700 and MP for Norwich in 1701 but defeated in the August 1702 and in the November 1703 elections
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x 1720 (20 Apr.) entire letter to "Col Patrick Vans of Barnbarroch, Member of Parliament, Lobby of the house of Commons, London", marked "free" but with rate mark, the flap with a good strike of the large Bishop mark alongside the diminutive Edinburgh Bishop mark in red and showing the complete red wax seal impressed with the Gordon coat of arms. Some light soiling £80-100
Colonel Patrick Vans of Barnbarroch held the office of Member of Parliament for Wigtownshire after 1707
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x 1783-1832, a group of Free entires with 1783 entire to Hereford bearing "free", 1790 "free/p" in black, 1808 large crowned c.d.s. from the House of Lords, later type of crowned Free c.d.s. including "Above Privilege/Number" and "above/number";
also 1803 entire from the House of Commons to Leek rated "8"; a little mixed in places. (7 entires) £250-300
| Free - F. Freeling Frank | |
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x 1813 (6 Aug.) pre-printed free frank entire headed "house of commons" bearing "free/F. Freeling" in lower corner and addressed to Carnarvon bearing crowned free c.d.s. Fresh and fine. A rare cover, there being only two recorded. Photo £2,500-3,000
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x 1820 (5 Aug.) pre-printed free frank entire headed "house of commons" bearing "free/F. Freeling" in lower corner and addressed to The Churchwardens and Overseers of Aylsham, Norfolk bearing crowned Free c.d.s. in black; some creasing and soiling.
Very scarce. Photo £600-800
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x 1821 (Nov.) pre-printed free frank entire headed "poor returns" bearing "free/F. Freeling" in lower corner and addressed to The Clerk of The House of Commons, London; sent from Aylsham, Norfolk and without any postal marking. Fresh and fine. Photo £200-250
| 1840 Parliamentary Envelopes | |
Houses of Parliament | |
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x 1840 (17 Jan.) 1d. envelope in black without line under inscription, setting 1, addressed to Manchester and signed "C.P.Villiers" and bearing a good strike of the crowned Paid despatch c.d.s. in red. The reverse with a complete red wax seal "house of commons";
a small fragment of the flap missing. Fresh and fine. A rare and highly desirable example of this cover, used on the second day of issue. Only ten covers recorded. S.G. PE1, £22,000. Photo £4,000-5,000
Charles Pelham Villiers (1802-1898) was a British lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1835 to 1898, making him the longest-serving Member of Parliament. Pelham Villiers also holds the distinction of the oldest candidate to win a parliamentary seat, at the age of 93
Literature:
The 1840 Prepaid Parliamentary Envelopes, Huggins & Klempka, 2013. Illustration 11
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x 1840 (20 Feb.) 2d. printed in black without black line under inscription, setting 1, on Britannia watermarked paper, addressed to Leeds with crowned Paid despatch c.d.s. in red, the reverse with black wax seal "house of commons". Fine and rare. Only thirteen covers recorded. S.G. PE3b, £45,000. Photo £15,000-20,000
Edward Baines (1774-1848) was an English newspaper proprietor, politician, and author of historical and geographic works of reference. In 1834 he was elected as member for Leeds. He was re-elected in 1835 and 1837, but resigned in 1841
Literature:
The 1840 Prepaid Parliamentary Envelopes, Huggins & Klempka, 2013. Illustration 24
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x 1840 (14 Feb.) 1d. cover front in black with line under the inscription, setting 1, addressed to Yarmouth with crowned Paid despatch c.d.s. in red, signed at foot "Dennistoun". Watermarked "j rump". Fresh and fine. S.G. PE2b. Photo £400-500
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x 1840 (1 June) 1d. envelope in black on white showing line under the inscription, setting 2, addressed to The Hon H.P. Cholmondeley in Oxford, the reverse bearing London despatch and Oxford arrival in red (2.6) and wax seal bearing the writer's device; watermarked Britannia. Some minor soiling but a fine example of this scarce envelope. Fifty one covers recorded. S.G. PE2c, £18,000. Photo £4,000-5,000
George Horatio Cholmondeley, 2nd Marquess of Cholmondeley; 1792-1870, styled Viscount Malpas from 1792 to 1815 and subsequently Earl of Rocksavage until 1827. He was a British peer and Lord Great Chamberlain of England between 1830 and 1838. Before being called to the House of Lords, he was a Tory Member of Parliament from 1817 to 1821
| House of Lords | |
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x 1840 (6 Apr.) 1d. envelope printed in vermilion on cream wove paper (122x83mm) with "(Temporary)" at top, addressed to a member of his family at their estate, Wimpole, Arrington (Cambridgeshire) and signed "Hardwicke"; bearing a fair strike of crowned Paid in red. The reverse with red wax seal bearing the lord's crest. There is a brown stain in the centre of the address caused by the wax seal, otherwise exceptionally fresh and fine. Similar to setting 2C but with subtle variations in the positions of the type. Twenty one covers recorded on cream paper. S.G. PE6, £25,000. Photo £5,000-6,000
Admiral Charles Philip Yorke, 4th Earl of Hardwicke (1799-1873). Hardwicke represented Reigate in the House of Commons between 1831 and 1832 and Cambridgeshire between 1832 and 1834. In 1834, on the death of his uncle, he became the fourth Earl of Hardwicke, and inherited the substantial Wimpole estate in Cambridgeshire. He was a member of Lord Derby's cabinet in 1852 as Postmaster General and as Lord Privy Seal between 1858 and 1859. In 1852 he was sworn of the Privy Council
| House of Commons | |
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x 1840 (11 Feb.) 1d. envelope printed in black on wove paper, setting 2A, addressed to Manchester and bears a good strike of crowned Paid despatch c.d.s. and signed at foot "Robert Hyde Greg", red wax seal on the reverse bearing the family crest. Fresh and fine. S.G. 9, £6000. One hundred and twenty six covers recorded. Photo £1,200-1,500
Robert Hyde Greg (1795-1875). He was a founder of the Mechanics' Institute. He was an active member of the Liberal Party and the Anti-Corn Law League. Though he was elected to Parliament for Manchester in 1839, it was without his consent and he resigned in the following year. He was an opponent of factory reform, trades unions and worker health and safety legislation
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x 1840 (14 Feb.) 1d. cover front printed in black on wove paper, setting 3B, the line under inscription ending under "n" of "not", addressed to the Earl of Lichfield with the sender's signature at foot and bearing two strikes of boxed "P D" datestamp in red; some tone spots. Photo £200-250
| Postmarks | |
Houses of Parliament Handstamp | |
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x 1825 (14 Mar.) entire letter to George Fure (?) in Lincoln's Inn with manuscript "T.P.P. March 14th", fine strikes of handstruck "2" and small letters "H:P" in red (Willcocks & Jay 560), the flap bearing oval datestamp in red. The letter is from a lieutenant in the King's Hussars and sent from "Tallagh" on 10th March. A fine and appealing example of this scarce handstamp. Photo £400-500
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1831 (10 Sept.) entire letter to Capt Spiller in Southampton Row bearing a good strike of the small letter "H:P" handstamp in red, handstruck "2" overstamped by horizontal lines erasure handstamp and handstruck "3" at left, red boxed datestamp on the reverse and signed "Radnor"; some creasing and paper splitting. Photo £500-600
William Pleydell-Bouverie, 3rd Earl of Radnor (1779-1869), on 27 January 1828, he succeeded his father as Earl of Radnor
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x 1843 (26 May) wrapper address to attorneys in Ely Place, Holborn bearing 1841 1d. red-brown (mixed margins) tied by London Chief Office Maltese Cross and with a good strike of the large letters "H:P" handstamp in red and showing the despatch datestamp on the reverse. A horizontal folding crease and signed "F.L. Austen Esq." at foot. Rare use of this handstamp after the London Twopenny Post period, for which these handstamps were designed. Willcocks & Jay 560a. Photo £800-1,000
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x Two stampless cover fronts used within London, each bears handstruck "2" and display good strikes of the small and large "H:P" handstamps in red. The fronts are signed by the Marquess of "Bute" and Lord Chief Justice "Wynford". (2 pieces). Photo £200-250
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x 1848 (Mar.) entire to Corfu, Ionian Islands "Via Trieste" marked "pd 1/3" which has been corrected, indistinct London despatch c.d.s., large "P D" in oval and Boulogne S. Mer transit (18.3), the reverse bears a very good strike of the rare "house of commons" circular postmark in red. An exceptional and rare postmark which is thought to only have been used on letters posted within the House of Commons which were addressed to overseas destinations. It is believed that there are only two examples recorded. Photo £1,500-2,000
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1859 (21 June) envelope addressed to the Isle of Wight bearing 1d. Stars cancelled by a fine strike of the scarce "H.P./1" branch office barred circle, the reverse with a good strike of "houses of parliament/s.w." c.d.s. code "E" (on flap which opens well for display) and Southampton transit; some arrival notation at left. A good example of this very scarce cancellation. Photo £150-200
It is thought that this cancellation was employed at the Houses of Parliament post office for about two months
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x 1859 (26 July) House of Commons envelope to Broadway, Worcestershire bearing 1d. Stars cancelled by a slightly smudged strike of the "H.P./1" barred circle, the reverse bearing a good strike of "houses of parliament/s.w." c.d.s. code "5" and Broadway arrival (27.7) in blue. Fresh. Photo £100-120
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x 1859 (5 Aug.) stampless entire letter to Baltimore, "Per Steamer from Liverpool, 6 Aug" bearing a good strike of "houses of parliament/s.w." c.d.s. code "2" with "19/cents" accountancy handstamp in black and "n.york br. pkt./24" c.d.s. (18.8), charged 24c., and with a further Houses of Parliament c.d.s. on the reverse. The letter sent by William Scholefield on his late father's business. A very desirable cover which is believed to be the only example of this c.d.s. on overseas mail from the Houses of Parliament. Photo £350-400
William Scholefield (1809-1867) was a British businessman and Liberal politician. He was a leading figure in the politics of the rapidly growing industrial town of Birmingham in the mid-nineteenth century. In July 1844 Joshua Scholefield died (William's father), causing a vacancy in the parliamentary representation of the borough. William contested the resulting by-election, but was defeated by the Conservative candidate Richard Spooner. Three years later a general election was called, and Scholefield was returned along with the sitting Radical MP, George Frederick Muntz. He retained the seat until his death
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1863 (9 July) envelope from The Northern Whig, Belfast bearing 1d. Stars tied by Belfast duplex and addressed to Thomas O'Hagan, M.P. House of Commons, and redirected on arrival to Hanover Square and bears a neat strike of the diminutive "R" in crowned circle (denoting no fee for redirection). Horizontal crease along the top of the envelope which runs through the adhesive, A scarce instructional mark. Photo £80-100
Thomas O'Hagan, 1st Baron O'Hagan (1812-1885). He was returned to Parliament as Liberal Member for Tralee in 1863. In 1865 he was appointed a judge of common pleas, and in 1868 became Lord Chancellor of Ireland in William Gladstone's first administration
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x 1879 (18 Mar.) Q.V. 2d. registered envelope uprated 1d. plate 207 to Edinburgh, the 1d. tied by indistinct barred oval with "registered/london" dated oval below, the reverse with a good strike of "house of commons" c.d.s. with Edinburgh arrival. Fresh and fine. Photo £150-180
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1884 (26 May) Q.V. 2d. registered envelope to Lichfield, uprated 1d. lilac which is tied by registered dated oval with a fine strike of "house of commons" code "A" c.d.s. alongside, the arrival backstamp is on the reverse. A scarce and desirable cover with this datestamp applied on the front. With the original letter from Theophilus Basil Percy Levett to his father. Some minor soiling, attractive. Photo £250-300
Colonel Theophilus John Levett (1829-1899) was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom, who served as Member of Parliament for Lichfield from 1880 to 1885
Provenance:
David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1890 (12 Apr.) large envelope addressed to Lloyd George, House of Commons, bearing Jubilee 1 1/2d. tied by Charing Cross squared circle, readdressed to Carnarvon, the cover bears a superb strike of "h.c.s.w./1 1/2d" postage due handstamp, the reverse with Carnarvon (13.4) and Criccieth (14.4) c.d.s. Slightly reduced at left with some creasing and soiling. Rare as this is thought to be the only example recorded. Photo £600-800
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1890 (22 May) long envelope addressed to Lloyd George, House of Commons, London and redirected to Criccieth, bearing 1d. lilac tied by Dolgelly duplex with a superb strike of "h.c.s.w./1d" postage due handstamp, two London c.d.s. on the reverse. Fine and scarce; possibly only two examples recorded. Photo £500-700
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x 1882 (Nov.) 23mm House of Commons c.d.s. (no code showing) on 1867-78 10/- greenish grey, AB, from the short "A" row and a couple of minor perf. irregularities; rare. Also Jubilee 1/- green block of four (faded) bearing fine strikes of 25mm c.d.s. code "C". Photo £500-600
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x 1894 (14 Aug.) mourning envelope (flap missing) to Campbelltown bearing 1d. lilac tied by a fine strike of House of Commons duplex code "Z1", signed "Argyll" and bearing Greenock and part Campbelltown c.d.s. on the reverse. Photo £100-120
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x 1908 (9 Mar.) stampless mourning envelope of the Speaker to Penrith bearing the oval handstamp of the Speaker in lower corner, a good strike of the Houses of Commons "40" duplex and "london official paid" c.d.s. in red; tiny piece missing from the top of the envelope, otherwise fresh and fine. Photo £100-150
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x 1908 (17 July) stampless House of Commons envelope addressed to Lady Clementine Waring, 9 Grosvenor Place, bearing a fine strike of "house of commons/s.w." code "*" c.d.s. and with violet Express oval alongside. Fine and a rare express cover from the House. Photo £400-500
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1908 (5 Nov.) parcel post label headed "london hmk/(House of Commons B.O.,/S.W.)" bearing K.E.VII 4d. tied by "SWDO" roller cancellation and a slightly oily strike of 24mm House of Commons code "*" c.d.s. Minor soiling but highly desirable as this is believed to be the only know such parcel post label. Photo £400-600
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1911 (4 Apr.) mourning envelope of the Solicitor General to Chelsea bearing K.E.VII 1d. and 1911 (15 June) picture post card of trams on Lewisham High Road bearing K.E.VII 1/2d.; both tied by the House of Commons duplex with time codes (phased introduction after 1894); fine. (2 covers) £200-250
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1914 (20 July) envelope addressed to Sir Thomas Esmonde, House of Commons, without postage and bearing 2d. Postage Due tied by "house of commons/s.w." code "*" c.d.s. Fine and only the third month of use of the postage due stamp £80-100
Sir Thomas Henry Grattan Esmonde, 11th Baronet, (1862-1935) was an Irish Home Rule nationalist politician. He was elected Irish Parliamentary Party MP for the constituencies South Dublin 1885-1892, West Kerry 1892-1900 and North Wexford 1900-1918
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x 1964-92, a collection of postmarks including registered mail cancelled by the special registration oval in violet or black, redirected packet labels marked "M.P's Mail" (2), special Parcel Post cancellations used on pieces, Certificates of Posting plus a few other items. A very interesting lot. (20 items) £100-120
| Special Purpose Mail | |
Parliamentary Notice | |
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x 1852 (9 Dec.) long blue envelope to Worcester headed "parliamentary notice." bearing 1841 2d. blue, plate 4, PB-TB vertical strip of five (mixed margins) tied by "75" barred oval with Birmingham and Worcester backstamps. Photo £150-180
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x 1854-77, a group of three different "parliamentary notice." covers with 1854 (18 Dec.) blue envelope bearing 2d. Stars and Embossed 6d. from Exeter to Southampton, marked "Not Known"; 1876 (9 Dec.) special registered envelope bearing 1d. Stars and 6d. plate 15 tied by Bridgwater duplex and addressed to Ilminster; 1877 (2 Dec.) long blue envelope bearing 1d. and 6d. plate 15 tied by London Duplex and addressed to Dublin. Folding creases and some soiling. (3 covers) £150-200
| Parliamentary Proceedings | |
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x 1845 (21 May) a printed Bill of the Turnpike Roads (Scotland) marked "Par Pro" and sent to Selkirk, rated "1"; readdressed to Hawick (with no extra charge), the reverse bears London despatch, Selkirk c.d.s. in red and boxed Hawick in black. Photo £200-250
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x 1850-56 blue wrappers headed "Par. Pro./To be posted at the House of Commons only./post paid", with 1850 (13 Feb.) front only to Evesham and rated "2" (4oz. to 8oz.); 1855 (19 June) blue wrapper to Attleborough in Norfolk and signed at foot Clare Sewell Read; 1856 (6 Feb.) opened-out blue wrapper to Birmingham, rated "2" and signed R. Spooner, with despatch and arrival (green) c.d.s. A good group. (3 items) £200-250
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x Vote Office, House of Commons: 1891-1905, a group of three wrappers with 1891 (19 May) blue wrapper headed "Par. Pro." to Lloyd's bearing a superb strike of large oval "vote office" in violet and Official Paid c.d.s.; two later wrappers headed "post paid" and "parliamentary proceedings" both with the oval handstamp of the Speaker and Official Paid c.d.s. A good group. (3 covers) £200-250
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x A selection of items with 1826 printed wrapper to Viscount Newry which has been turned and sent with manuscript "Parl. Pro" to Wigtown bearing crowned Free c.d.s.; 1828 wrapper to Orkney marked "Par Pro"; 1845 small printed "Par. Pro." wrapper to the Mayor of Marlborough; 1903 Vote Office wrapper with the Speaker handstamp; some Q.E.II wrappers. (9 items) £250-300
| Parliamentary Returns | |
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x 1842 printed entire with "church/rates" in lower corner, unused; light vertical fold. Fresh £60-80
| Opening of Parliament | |
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x 1877 (26 Jan.) envelope headed "opening of parliament" and sent from the Lord Great Chamberlain bearing 1d. plate 187 (corner defect when placed on envelope) cancelled by London S.W. duplex and addressed to Lord Denman, Haddington; the flap with the Chamberlain's embossed arms. Horizontal crease at top and some wrinkling, possibly unique. Photo £300-400
| Hansard's Parliamentary Debates | |
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x 1860 (c.) printed wrapper headed "Hansard's Parliamentary Debates." and, at foot,
"per book post./Printer's Proof." and addressed to the Lord Archbishop of Armagh; bears 1d. Stars tied by London numeral. Fine £60-80
| Renfrewshire Election | |
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x 1841 (10 July) printed entire giving the results of the election, bearing 1841 1d. red-brown, plate 10, BJ (large margins) tied by Maltese Cross, the reverse with Paisley and Hamilton (red) boxed datestamps; folding creases. Unusual. Also 1895 1/2d. reply card for a proxy vote for Joseph Chamberlain in the West Birmingham election and 1902 picture postcard depicting Arthur Balfour and beard K.E.VII 1 1/2d. £100-120
Patrick Stewart was Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire between 1831-1846
| Mulready | |
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x 1841 (27 Apr.) 1d. wrapper bearing the advertisement of John Richards and Company, headed "mirror of parliament", stereo "A24" addressed to Hereford, cancelled by black Maltese Cross and with the despatch c.d.s. on the reverse; some soiling on the front though the advert is fine. S.G. MA467b £100-150
| Official Paid | |
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x 1865 (20 Feb.) stampless envelope to Bordeaux bearing a fine strike of "official-paid/london" code "F A" c.d.s. in red. "PD" in oval alongside and signed at foot "H.A.Bruce", the reverse with French transit and arrival c.d.s. and the impressed seal of Council Office. Fine. Photo £100-120
Henry Austin Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare (1815-1895) was a British Liberal Party politician, who served in government most notably as Home Secretary (1868-1873) and as Lord President of the Council. When this letter was sent he was Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department
| Seals | |
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x Embossed Seals: 1856-96, a group of envelopes with House of Commons (3) one on unused 1d. pink envelope, House of Commons Library, used within the House between Edward Cardwell and Benjamin Disraeli, House of Lords and 12 Downing Street bearing handstamp of Parliamentary Secretary Treasury. (6 covers) £150-200
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x Wax Seals: 1846-56, a small collection with small crowned House of Commons plus similar embossed seal, Library House of Commons in two sizes (3, one seal split on opening) plus embossed seal, and General Board of Health. An unusual group. (8 covers) £120-150
Provenance: David Trapnell, March 2003
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x Printed Seals: 1877 (4 July) envelope used locally in Guernsey bearing 1d. plate 199 tied by Guernsey duplex and printed "bureau des etats guernsey" on flap. Good £100-150
| Office Handstamps | |
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