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Continental Night Mail. 1892-1900 Covers to Russia or Germany, posted in the Continental Night Mail late fee box at Cannon Street franked 10d + 1½d late fee, bearing 1½d + 5d pair (perfin “CL”) cancelled by “CONTINENTAL NIGHT MAIL / C.S / 2” duplexs, or ½d + 1d + 10d (perfin “WB/SCo”) cancelled “CONTINENTAL NIGHT MAIL / C.S” double ring datestamps. (2). £120-150
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London & Dover T.P.O. 1885-1913 Covers and cards comprising scarce “DOVER TO LONDON / F.D.M” c.d.s on front of 1885 registered cover from Ireland to Germany, cancelling G.B 1d on 1904 card written at Constantinople and on a 1910 card from Holland to Belgium missent to G.B also with “VLISSINGEN-QUEENBOROUGH / (B)” c.d.s, scarce circular framed “L.D / S.C / D” on postcard to France, 1904 postcard written at Corfu with ½d pair cancelled “LONDON & DOVER T.P.O / NIGHT MAIL” c.d.s, also oval Registered F.N.M London (2), F.D.M London or Day Mail Up London & Dover S.C datestamps, C.68 postage due handstamps (5, blank, “5”, “15” or “30”, one from G.B), and 1908 Express covers from Germany and Italy with London & Dover S.C Night Mail Up backstamp and violet “EXPRESS” and “EXPRESS FEE PAID 3D” possibly applied on the T.P.O. (16). £350-400
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London & Folkestone S.C. - Express. 1914 (Jan 23) Express cover from Berlin to London franked 20pf + 25pf, red Express label and very scarce violet boxed “EXPRESS FEE PAID 3D / L. & F.S.C.” applied on the London & Folkestone Sorting Carriage, Sorting Carriage c.d.s on reverse. Harold Wilson illustrates this mark in his book “Travelling Post Offices of G.B and Ireland” stating “the rubber (Express) handstamp was issued on 24 November 1913 but has not been recorded used”. Photo on Page 78. £150-180
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London & Folkestone S.C. - Express. 1914 (Feb 13) Express cover from Berlin to London franked 20pf + 25pf, red Express label and very scarce violet boxed “EXPRESS FEE PAID 3D / L. & F.S.C.” applied on the London & Folkestone Sorting Carriage. Harold Wilson illustrates this mark in his book “Travelling Post Offices of G.B and Ireland” stating “the rubber (Express) handstamp was issued on 24 November 1913 but has not been recorded used”. Photo on Page 78. £140-160
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London & Queenborough S.T. 1901-08 Postcards (3) and a cover with 1901 Queenboro & Flushing Mail Service card written on S.S “Prinz Heinrich” franked ½d, 1908 card of the night boat franked ½d pair, and 1908 card to Norway franked 1d all cancelled “LONDON & QUEENBORO S.T c.d.s, 1907 registered cover from Holland backstamped “REGISTERED / LONDON & QUEENBOROUGH / S.T” hooded circle datestamp. (4). £100-120
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1916 Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Co. envelope carried by train from Blackpool to Blackburn, sent on official company business and therefore free of all charges, backstamped with hexagonal or octagonal datestamps of both stations, very unusual. £100-120
| Registered, Insured & AR Mail
(Also see lots 268/71, 290, 311, 336, 524/31, 546/7, 744, 825) | |
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Money Order. 1851 (Jan 27) First type Money Order printed in red for Strand, issued for one guinea payable at Cardiff, with “STRAND” double arc datestamp, printed 6d duty stamp, not cashed. Very rare, the only other example seen by us being an unused proof in the Vivien Sussex collection. Photo on Page 78. £200-300
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1853-59 Covers both with a 1d red paying the postage and three 2d blues to pay the 6d registration fee, the 1853 cover with imperforate stamps (2d blue NB-ND strip of three just touched at right), the 1859 cover with perforated 1d stars and plate 7 2d blues, an attractive pair. (2). £100-150
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1863 (Mar 10) 1d Pink envelope franked 1862 9d bistre, registered from Brough to Market Weighton, marked “Refused” and returned to the sender, minor staining but a scarce use of the 9d, paying 6d registration + 4d postage over 1oz. £100-120
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1896-1988 Covers (110, also pieces) with Registered Official Paid hooded circle datestamps from various London offices, several used to cancel stamps. (110+). £250-300
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1903-64 Covers (132, also a few stamps, pieces and C.O.Ps) with Registered hooded circle datestamps from London E.C, W1 or the Foreign Section, also 1933 Monetary & Economic Conference proof handstamps (9, also a cover) including the rare Registered hooded circle. (142+). £250-300
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Insured Mail. 1896 Parcel front from Copenhagen to England with Danish and German labels, a red “INSURED / (VALEUR DECLAREE)” label and “Insured Parcel. Germany. Parcel Passing through the G.P.O” label showing a 3d rate with F. & C.P.P London c.d.s (Apr. 4), believed to be the earliest recorded example of the red British P.O Insured label, ex Vivien Sussex. £100-120
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Insured Mail. 1926-1993 Insured covers from G.B to overseas with six prewar registered covers to Malta, France, Germany (2), Belgium, or to Denmark endorsed “not transmissible by Insured letter post, contains other than documents, see page 215 P.O Guide” with violet “RETURN TO SENDER / Postage is being refunded by / Divisional Controller, L.P.R, E.C / Fresh postage necessary / if reposted” (a little truncated at right); also 1983-93 decimal period covers (8, five registered) and unused Insured labels. (14+). £180-220
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AR Forms. 1909-93 AR Forms for inland registered letters bearing stamps of KEVII, KGV (5), KGVI (2), QEII predecimal (2) or decimal (2), also an unused 1949 form, and an undelivered 1935 cover with “AR” handstamp. An unusual group. (14). £100-120
| Royalty
(Also see lots 332, 572, 653/4, 1338/73) | |
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1882-91 Pieces (9) and stamps (35) all cancelled by London hooded circle datestamps with “V.R” at base, codes “A” (8), inverted “A” (2), “B” (22), sideways “B” (5), “C” (5), “D” or “E”, various stamps. (44). £200-240
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1882-83 Covers franked 1d or 1d pair cancelled by London hooded circle datestamp with “V.R” at base, code “B”, the 1882 (Nov 21) cover just the 12th recorded day of use with month before day, the 1883 cover from Col. Paul Methuen with day before month, also three single 1d stamps with similar sideways “B” code cancels. (2 covers + 3 stamps). £140-160
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1883-84 Commercial covers franked 1d (2), 1½d or 2d all unusually cancelled by London hooded circle datestamps with “V.R” at base, all code “B”, also similar cancels on 1d lilacs with perfins (2, code “B”) and a 2d with Board of Trade perfin (code “C”). (4 covers + 3 stamps). £150-200
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1883-84 Official covers from the War Office (2) both franked 1d, or from the Secretary of States Office to Paris franked 5d green, all cancelled by London hooded circle datestamps with “V.R” at base, codes “A”, “B”, or sideways “B”, minor faults. (3). £180-220
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1883-84 Covers to Lord or Lady Reay franked 1d, three with “Government House” and royal arms on the flap, all cancelled by London hooded circle datestamps with “V.R” at base, one with unclear code, the others with code “C” or sideways “C” (2, scarce). (4). £150-180
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1884-89 Covers franked 1d, cancelled by London hooded circle datestamps with “V.R” at base, codes “A” or “D”, the 1884 cover with Marlborough House printed flap and enclosed letter from Francis Knollys, the 1889 cover with Buckingham Palace Privy Purse Office printed flap and enclosed letter from Henry Ponsonby. (2). £150-180
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Osborne. 1886-96 Mourning envelopes with “Osborne” and crown on the flaps, the first with a 1d lilac cancelled “PORTSMOUTH SORTING CARRIAGE” c.d.s, the second to Italy franked 2½d cancelled by “LONDON / A / V.R” hooded circle datestamp unusually with a second strike below, fine and very uncommon on a cover addressed abroad. (2). Photo on Page 78. £120-150
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1901 Royal Tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, “Links of Empire” series of 20 cards posted at the places visited all to the same address in Manchester, card 13 with G.B 1d lilac cancelled by superb “ASCENSION” c.d.s, card 2 from Gibraltar with 1d lilac tied by Ship Letter London c.d.s, cards 3, 4 and 5 from Malta, Suez and Colombo with 1d lilacs tied by London datestamps (all types used on naval mail), other cards from Australia, South Africa, Canada and Portsmouth. A fine complete set. (20). Photo on Page 78. £400-500
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R.H. Official. 1902 (Aug 29) Picture postcard written from Oban by J.C Barlerin, store clerk in the Lord Steward’s Dept., to his son in London, franked by KEVII ½d R.H Official overprint tied by an Oban c.d.s, the message in French reads “I’m going right now to join the Yacht which is in Colonsay, approximately 30 miles from here”. The King and Queen were on the Royal Racht “Victoria and Albert”, which called at Colonsay on August 28/29. A unique use of the KEVII ½d R.H Official stamp on a picture postcard. Photo on Page 78. £1,000-1,200
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1904 (Jan 8) Picture postcard of Chatsworth House self addressed to J.C Barlerin (store clerk in the Lord Steward’s Dept.) in London, a KEVII ½d cancelled at Bakewell with “CHATSWORTH / X” skeleton datestamps applied to both sides. This skeleton was issued to the temporary telegraph office at Chatsworth House during the five day visit of the King and Queen (Jan 4-8); it is only recorded on a few picture postcards sent by Barlerin. Photo on Page 82. £200-250
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R.H Official. 1904 (Feb 4) Cover with a crown on the flap, addressed “To Lord Amherst of Hackney, Didlington Hall, Brandon, Norfolk” bearing a KEVII 1d R.H Official overprint tied by Windsor c.d.s, Stoke Ferry backstamp, an enclosed Windsor Castle card signed by Walter Parrott, “Dear Lord Amherst, we are most grateful for the telegram of the safe arrival at Khartoum”. Also a postcard of Parrott, Master of the Queen’s and King’s Musick, based at St. Georges Chapel, Windsor. An exceptional use of the KEVII 1d R.H Official stamp, very rare on cover. Photo on Inside Front Cover. £1,000-1,200
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1907 (Nov.) Picture postcards, a Nov. 15 postcard from J.C Barlerin with KEVII ½d cancelled at Windsor and a “WINDSOR CASTLE” c.d.s on the address side, sent on the day the German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm stayed at Windsor Castle; the second card of Highcliffe Castle with KEVII ½d tied by superb Nov. 25 “HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE” skeleton datestamp, used at the temporary post office at the castle during the visit of the German Emperor from Nov. 18th - Dec. 9th. (2). Photo on Page 82. £250-300
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1911 (July 8) Picture postcard of the royal visit to Dublin, sent by J.C Barlerin, Comptroller of Supply, to his wife in London, a KGV ½d cancelled by “DUBLIN CASTLE / +” c.d.s. A temporary telegraph office was opened for the King’s five day visit to Dublin (July 8-12) shortly after his Coronation, the special Dublin Castle c.d.s however only recorded as a cancel on a few postcards sent by Barlerin. Very scarce. Photo on Page 82. £200-250
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1912 (Aug 14) Stampless cover with “Bolton Abbey Skipton” on the flap, addressed to Harrogate with red “OFFICIAL PAID / (crown)” skeleton type c.d.s partly overstruck by a Bolton Abbey c.d.s, violet GvR Cypher handstamp. This Official Paid skeleton type c.d.s used when the King was staying at non royal properties without their own Post Office, this cover sent during the King’s August 12-20 visit to Bolton Abbey, home of the Duke of Devonshire. £80-100580 Albert, Duke of York, later King George VI. 1935 (Oct. - Dec.) Handwritten letters signed Albert (3), Christmas card and a superb silver presentation cigarette case from the Duke of York, the cigarette case and two letters sent or given to Frank Webber, architect and Director of William Willett Ltd who designed and built two new wings at Royal Lodge, Windsor, for the Duke and Duchess of York, the third letter to Mr Freeman Smith of Lenygon & Morant Ltd, co-contractors on the work. The unique group comprises:1. August 25th 1935 letter to Mr Webber in the Duke’s hand, on Birkhall, Ballater notepaper; The Duke has received sketches and estimates for the work at the Royal Lodge, is glad to have cut the price down, asks for the work to carry on, and to be informed on progress at intervals.2 October 15th 1935 letter to W. Freeman Smith in the Duke’s hand, on Glamis Castle notepaper; The Duke thanks Smith for his letter telling him the work at Royal Lodge and the Dining Room at the Duke’s London residence 145 Piccadilly are both finished, and praises Mr Webber. Also an Oct. 19th letter from Freeman Smith to Webber forwarding the Duke’s letter.3 November 3rd 1935 letter to Mr Webber in the Duke’s hand; The Duke will see Webber tomorrow at Royal Lodge where Annie (the Duchess of York) will explain about a table and shelves wanted in the kitchen by Mrs Macdonald (the housekeeper). Also the envelope addressed “To be given tomorrow, Monday Nov. 4th, F. Webber, Esq., The Royal Lodge” and initialled “A”.4 1935 Christmas and New Year card containing a photo of The Royal Lodge, individually signed by Albert and Elizabeth, containing a note in the Duke’s handwriting “The House that Webber built!!” on Royal Lodge notepaper. Also the envelope addressed to F. Webber and initialled “A” in the Dukes handwriting, posted at Windsor (Dec 22), torn.5 Silver Cigarette Case, 140x92x47mm, wood lined, the domed top with fine engine turned engraving and a crown over “AE”, hallmarked London 1934 with makers mark “SG”, base engraved Garrard & Co. Ltd, 24 Albemarle St. W” (the Royal Jewellers) with the number “76722/2”, weight 400g. £2,000-2,500
| COUNTY POSTAL HISTORY | |
Channel Islands
(Also see lots 91, 924) | |
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WW2 Occupation. 1941 (Feb 20) Unsealed cover to St. Peter Port bearing 1940 Penny Postage Centenary 1d diagonally bisected, tied by Guernsey machine. A rare bisect on an apparently commercial cover sent at the printed matter rate. Photo on Page 82. £350-400
| Cheshire | |
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1799-1958 Entire letters, covers and cards from Malpas (17, seven with boxed handstamp), Capenhurst (5), 1828 “NESTON” fleuron, etc. (59). £240-280
| Cornwall
(Also see lots 355/6, 498) | |
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c.1841 1d Mulready envelope stereo A173 with straight line “ST IVES” on the front, cancelled by a black Maltese Cross. An unusual Mulready with the undated St. Ives applied but without any datestamp, fine. £120-150
| Cumberland | |
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Carlisle - Civil War Haste Post Haste Letter. 1644 (Apr 20) Entire letter from Sir Henry Stradling, Governor of Carlisle Castle, addressed “For his Mate Service, To my very honored Phillip Musgrave baronett, Commander in Chief of Cumberland and West’d at Edenhall” and inscribed “Hast Hast Post Hast Hast, Carlisle 20th April at 2 in ye afternoon, Hen. Stradlinge”. Some damp faults with repairs at upper corners, some losses to the internal letter, nevertheless a very rare civil way period haste post haste letter, believed to be unique from Carlisle. Stradling joined Charles I after the surrender of Carlisle in 1645, and was captured at Rowton Heath later that year; he took part in royalist revolts in South Wales in 1647 and 1648. An important letter. Photo on Page 82. £2,000-2,500
| Isle of Wight
(Also see lots 332, 353/4, 537, 572) | |
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Frees. 1689 (July 17) Entire letter from the Isle of Wight, written by the Island Governor Sir Robert Holmes, addressed to the Honorable Charles Bertie, Treasurer to their Majesties Ordnance in London, sent during the co-regency of William and Mary so headed “For their Majestys Service” with “3” and “6” charges crossed out and a manuscript squiggle to donate free postage, reverse with “JY/19” Bishop Mark. The interesting contents concern improvements to the island’s defences and payment for these works. Ex George Crabb & Frank Bottomley. Photo on Page 82. £500-600
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1797-1852 Entire letters (4) and covers (2) comprising 1797 entire letter from Newport to Belfast redirected to Dublin and London with “N. ISLE OF / WIGHT”, red “IRELAND” and “BELFAST”; and undated circles of Ventnor (3) and Bonchurch (2), one with Great Exhibition embossed flap. (6). £150-180
| Kent
(Also see lots 11, 25, 33, 49, 88, 322/3, 338, 542, 549/56, 1930) | |
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Squared Circles. 1881-1913 Covers and cards with squared circle cancels from 29 differing Kent offices including Bridge, Chilham, Halstead, Hawkshurst, Knockholt, Longfield, Mount Ephraim, Newington, Rainham, Sevenoaks, Sturry, etc., also the Sussex offices of Robertsbrige, Etchingham and Gensing Station Rd Hastings, one 1884 circular redirected at Rochester with unusual “½” charge mark. (47). £180-220
| Lancashire
(Also see lots 270, 283, 309/11, 534, 557, 868) | |
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Lancaster. 1758-1882 Entire letters, entires and covers, mainly prestamp period written up on pages including handstamps LA596, 606 (3), 608 (7), 613 (2), 616 (2), 618, 619, also 1832 Penny Post in red, a few other Lancashire items with undated circles (6), letter to Grays Inn Coffee House, etc. (54). £160-200
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Lancaster. 1795-1848 Entire letters, mainly prestamp, many to Kirkby Lonsdale, most with various Lancaster datestamps, also circular undated Lancaster type LA618 or 619 (8), boxed “No. 2” Penny Post handstamps, 1844 prepaid letter with Lancaster datestamp applied in black then overstruck in red, Clapham undated circle, 1844 letter to Lancaster with No. 6 in Maltese Cross cancel, etc. (115). £180-220
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1840 (Sep 26) Entire from Burnley to Clitheroe bearing two 1d blacks (both plate 5) tied by red Maltese Crosses, HJ (just touched at base) in the upper right corner to pay the postage, HL (four margins) in the upper left corner to pay the late fee for posting after 6pm, a Burnley datestamp on the front. A fine and scarce 1d black late fee letter. Photo on Page 82. £350-400
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1840 (Oct 22) Entire letter to Low Wood, written at Ulverston but posted at Backbarrow, franked by a 1d black, BH plate 6 with four good margins, tied by a fine orange Maltese Cross with matching Ulverston backstamp, a “BACKBARROW” undated circle below the stamp. A scarce and unusual use of a 1d black from a small village office, with a fine orange cancel. Photo on Page 82. £300-350
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1841 (Sep 10) Entire letter from Hawkshead to London, the 2d double rate paid by two plate 4 1d blacks, IH (touched at left) and II (four margins) each tied by a black Maltese Cross, “Hawkshead / Penny Post” on the front, backstamped at Ambleside and London. A fine 1d black cover with a Penny Post handstamp. Photo on Page 84. £300-350
| Lancashire - Advance Posting for Christmas Cancels | |
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1906 Proof impressions of “X/MAS” handstamps for Liverpool, St. Helens and Newton-le-Willows on pieces, the last two with partially printed details of the handstamp manufacturer on the reverse, apparently reading “George Lucy, Sole Engravers & Stamp Cutters to His Majestys Post Office”. Probably unique. (3). Photo on Page 32. £300-350
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Bolton. 1903 Picture postcard with KEVII ½d tied by the oval Advance Posting cancel, code “B.L”, small ink stain on message half, otherwise fine, about 25,000 items posted in Bolton in 1903. £120-150
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Liverpool. 1906-09 Covers with “X / MAS” cancels for the four years, the 1907 cover to Lancaster franked KEVII ½d, the others locally addressed franked KEVII 1d. All very fine, these cancels much scarcer on covers than picture postcards. (4). £180-220
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Liverpool. 1908 Printed bundle label on red paper “CHRISTMAS / Advance Posted Letters / FOR / (Batley)” with a fine Liverpool “X / MAS” handstamp, unusual and scarce. Photo on Page 84. £350-400
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Manchester. 1905 (Dec. 18) Cover posted from Manchester to Leeds with QV 6d envelope stamp cut-out tied by Manchester c.d.s, arrival backstamp, the stamp then tied by a superb strike of the violet oval “MANCHESTER / ADVANCE POSTED / CHRISTMAS 1905”, presumably cancelled to order, nevertheless a scarce cancel and very unusual. Photo on Page 84. £150-200
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Prescot. 1908 Picture postcard to Rockferry, a KEVII ½d tied by “X / MAS” cancel, corner crease, otherwise fine and scarce, also KEVII 1d on piece with 1907 cancel. Just 3,200 items posted in 1906, 1,500 in 1907, the postcard with R.P.S Certificate (1986). (2). Photo on Page 84. £200-250
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Rochdale. 1902 Large cover (flap missing) sent within Rochdale franked KEVII ½d (small fault) cancelled by red oval “POSTED IN ADVANCE / FOR DELIVERY / ON / CHRISTMAS DAY / 1902”. Also pieces with KEVII ½d cancelled in red or 1d cancelled in black. The scheme was trialed at Rochdale in 1902, this oval cancel only used during this 1902 trial, in red ink on ½d stamps and black ink on 1d stamps, 18,910 items posted in total. (3). £240-280
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Rochdale. 1904 Picture postcard posted within Rochdale, a KEVII ½d tied by the oval Advance Posting cancel code “R.O.” in red, 21,275 items posted in 1904. £100-120
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Widnes. 1906 Picture postcard to Salford with a KEVII ½d tied by the “X / MAS” cancel, a couple of letters at the base off the card and repair to lower edge, otherwise fine and very scarce, just 2,200 items posted at Widnes in 1906. Photo on Page 84. £200-250
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Wigan. 1904 Picture postcard addressed locally, franked KEVII ½d tied by the oval Advance Posting cancel, code “W.I”, superb. 17,171 Items posted in 1904. Photo on Page 84. £180-200
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