British Postmark Database

tallanent · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 06:05:12 am

I have had contact via this board from a few members here regarding my database of British Postmarks

http://philatelicweb.com/pmks/

Along with the offers of help it was suggested that there should be a thread on this board where members could post examples of all and any British Postmarks (not just the rare and better looking items) that could be used within the database and it was also suggested that I should start the thread and give a few details of what is required ... so here goes ...

The intention of the database is to list and where possible show a scan of any and all British Postmarks that can be attributed to a given location.

This has developed from just place names to be able to include the numerical marks, telegraph numbers and so on ...

With the use of slogan postmarks, (which can also be included) these will be shown with their periods of use for each location as determined by the CDS portion of the machine mark and in this way over a period of time it may be possible to see when certain offices switched to other types.

I am still in the process of adding in all the basic place names to this database - a process that has been hampered by my work with the local youth group ...

I trust this thread is acceptable on here and look forward to seeing any replies ...

Regards .. ALLAN

honza · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 07:21:09 am

Ahoj tallanent!

Thank you for starting this thread. When it is finished, your website will be an invaluable free reference for all.

In the meanwhile I am sure many members will be very keen to help your work in any way we can.

I shall post a few scans now after reference to your site. Please tell me if anything is not useful.

Thanks again on behalf of us all and hopefully future generations of philatelists too!

1 Ref 2311 You have this postmark with 23 but not 15 and 17

2 Ref 389 scan required for Bakewell. Is it clear enough for now?

3 A straightline undated ABERDEEN from letter of 1785

4 Ref 1014 with code C at top

5 not listed no ref.

Are the strikes of sufficient quality to be useful? Are they the right size?

Hope they help,

Honza

tallanent · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 07:45:11 am

Honza

Many thanks for the scans ....

All are now added in to the database with date ammendments etc where required ...

Lakatoi 4 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 08:22:44 am

That'a an excellent,well thought out and simple to search database Tallanent, you should be congratulated for your efforts

I'll have to look through what I have and check it out against the images. Any one's I find that aren't there I'll load up here (but it may take a bit of time).

honza · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 08:45:35 am

Ahoj tallanent!

Glad to have been of help! No problems with size or clarity?

I'll confine myself to towns A-L for the moment.

Here are 5 more

1 Ref 4119 scan required LOWER LARGO FIFESHIRE

2 not present believed LOMBARD STREET

3 not present ABERDEEN two-ring No 3

4 Ref 2307 similar but earlier and date in different font

5 Is this Ref 2320 with different code at top 7 0 ?

Honza

skilo54 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 08:50:40 am

Hi tallanent,

I also think your website is amazing, and have it bookmarked!

Here are some scans of 'Nelson' that I hope you will find useful.

skilo54 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 08:57:52 am

Here are some different types of Manchester (Code 4232):

Manchester N. (2)

Manchester E. (1)

Manchester S.W (2)

Manchester S.W (5)

Manchester S.E (4)

skilo54 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 09:00:50 am

(Manchester cont'd)

Manchester (5)

Manchester (6)

Manchester (7)

Manchester (33)

skilo54 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 09:07:13 am

(Manchester cont'd):

Krag type:

Manchester H

Manchester I

Manchester E

Manchester S.L.

And although not the nicest strike, very early on in the Downey Head life, the stamp was 8 days old!

Manchester Columbia Type:

skilo54 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:28:12 am

Here are some others that I have with Manchester at the bottom of the double-rings:

Prestwich, Manchester

Ramsbottom, Manchester

Levenshulme, Manchester

Ofe??haw.D.O.2, Manchester (sorry for the clarity)

I sure hope this is the sort of thing you are looking for and I haven't just nuked your thread! I am sure we could convince the mods to hit the big red delete button if need be.

Anyways, Good Luck with your Database tallanent!

Skilo54

tallanent · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:32:21 am

Tony

Thanks for the kind words ... look forward to anything you find and scan

Honza

All those added in.

The LS within a cross is indeed Lombard Street and the details are already in the database so you must have missed that one somehow ...

Skilo54

The Manchester marks are now all added in - many thanks ...

One that I have left out is the Manchester I (Krag machine). This threw me as I believe that the H was the head office and could see no reason for the letter I. When I enlarged the scan I was sure that this was also an H ... if you could check this and confirm or otherwise and then we can put this one in correctly ...

To all

Many thanks to those who have taken the time to scan items.

With regards to marks that are not the best ... this is not a problem - and example is better than nothing and at a later date if better copies turn up they can always be replaced ...

ALLAN

skilo54 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:37:54 am

You sir are correct! :lol:

The 'I' is in fact a poorly applied 'H', my bad! I should have been more thorough......

nice catch though!

Glad I can help and geesh you are fast adding those in, WOW!

Have a Good One,

Skilo54

tallanent · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:47:11 am

skilo54 wrote:

Ofe??haw.D.O.2, Manchester (sorry for the clarity)

I sure hope this is the sort of thing you are looking for and I haven't just nuked your thread! I am sure we could convince the mods to hit the big red delete button if need be.

Anyways, Good Luck with your Database tallanent!

Skilo54

Sure is the sort of thing I am looking for .... thanks again

The one shown with the uncertain name I have filed for later ... once I get a possitive ID on the place / office - I will add it in

All the extras with Manchester at the base are now in place ...

maptrekker · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:51:00 am

That is a nice database. I hope it expands to other countries.

Will Glasgow & Carlisle Sorting Tender with a code "L" help?

tallanent · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:07:02 am

maptrekker wrote:

That is a nice database. I hope it expands to other countries.

Will Glasgow & Carlisle Sorting Tender with a code "L" help?

Helps greatly ... expands the period of use and another code letter recorded .. thanks

Postmarks of other countries

Don't tell everyone :roll:

... but I have been thinking of another one along the same lines for the postmarks of Canada ....

Once this one has all the names in place I may spend a few days and put the construction in place to get this up and running ...

flip138 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 21:08:18 pm

Ofe??haw.D.O.2, Manchester.

I think I can identify this one as OPENSHAW.

When I have some time I will see if I have any marks to add to the database.

Phil

tallanent · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 21:24:42 pm

flip138 wrote:

Ofe??haw.D.O.2, Manchester.

I think I can identify this one as OPENSHAW.

When I have some time I will see if I have any marks to add to the database.

Phil

Phil

Thanks for the ID on this mark ... now added to the database

ALLAN

chippin · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 22:26:06 pm

A few from Cheshire:

Macclesfield

Alderley Edge

Wilmslow

chippin

honza · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 23:17:34 pm

Ahoj Allan!

Your site is attracting a lot of interest. Well done!

Another five from me:

1 new BEESTON NOTTINGHAM oval registered 25 Feb 1967

2 Ref 1593 no scan CLITHEROE 20 Apr 1850

3 Ref 765 BLACKBURN later use 20 Apr 1850 code A

4 Official paid believed BLACKBURN (on OHMS letter from BLACKBURN to Clitheroe) 19 Apr 1850 * needs confirmation

5 new DINGWALL 671 miles from London via Edinburgh (letter 1816)

Cheers,

Honza

tallanent · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 23:50:15 pm

Chippin and Honza

Thanks for the scans ... all now added to the database

ALLAN

honza · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 00:22:38 am

Ahoj!

Another five!

1 EDINBURGH similar to Ref 2307 but with serifs

2 new EDINBURGH arrival marks 16 Nov 1816 B A and 11 Dec 1818 B M (A is presumably afternoon & M morning)

3 Ref 2321 EDNr-CARLISLE SORTING TENDER not as clear as yours but earlier date 8 Feb 1876

4 KIRKCALDY 22 Dec 1886 double ring with town no. 210 at bottom

5 Ref 2950 HAMILTON duplex but tilted and later use 23 Jan 1867

Honza

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 00:55:00 am

Honza

With the exception of the two red un-nammed Edinburgh marks - all these are now in place ...

The lack of a place name or other text within the mark makes this along with the similar English and Irish types impossible to search for within the database - and as such all these 'Bishop Mark' types and variations have been excluded.

The sorting tender mark is different to the one that I had on file and has been given its own entry - as has the Hamilton duplex. Variations in the relationship of the CDS to the numeral in the duplex marks is very common as when the dates were changed and the CDS was screwed back in place - the orintation was of little concern as long as the information it contained was correct.

ALLAN

skilo54 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 01:01:40 am

Hi Tallanent, looks like you have a good thing going on around here! I have to say that your Manchester page sure is looking good!

Here is one that I think mat be interesting to your site as it has a beautiful London Hooded Circle used for Late Fees, noted by the L1 D in the postmark. I only have a handful of hooded circles on Downey Heads, so I might even go out on a limb and say this could be the LRD for this postmark?

Back with more in a bit,

Skilo54

honza · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 01:05:41 am

Ahoj Allan

Thanks for the feedback. You're not getting too many are you?

I have two paid strikes with no town, but identified by the contents as from the Inland Revenue in London. Are these also outside your database?

and five more:-

1 Ref 3398 KIDDERMINSTER 5th Feb 1850 later than yours

2 Ref 3582 no scan LANARK duplex 215 8th Feb 1876 D

3 Ref 2459 no scan HEXHAM 31st Oct 1857

4 Ref 2477 FALMOUTH no scan 322 barred cancellation 2nd MAR 1845

5 Ref ditto FALMOUTH no scan 2nd Mar 1845 B

Honza

skilo54 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 01:20:41 am

Here is a Portsmouth H.P.O, noted by the H.P.(O) at the bottom of the cancel:

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 01:22:50 am

Skilo

The late Fee hooded circle now in place .. thanks

Honza

If those PAID marks have the word included in the strike - then its possible to index and include them ...

All those above now in place ...

For reference - the 322 numeral is Gravesend ...

ALLAN

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 01:29:36 am

skilo54

Thanks again ..

The Portsmouth Head Post Office mark now in place

ALLAN

honza · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 01:41:04 am

Ahoj Allan!

Sorry about confusing the 322 Gravesend departure with the Falmouth arrival. I must be more careful in future.

The PAID strikes include the word PAID but no reference to a town. Does that mean you want them?

and another five

1 Ref 4575 no scan NEWARK 24th Feb 1967

2 new GLASGOW 10th Dec 1818

3 new INVERNESS 4th Aug 1816 double ring *637(687?)-E*. I understand this type was unique to Inverness.

4 new LONDON INLAND OFFICE No 12 12th Aug 1847

Honza

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 02:06:46 am

Honza

With the PAID mark showing that wording ... yes please - they can be added.

All those above now in place

ALLAN

chippin · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 02:55:54 am

A few more Cheshire ones for you:-

Macclesfield

A couple of squared circles

Double ring with index 2

1962 coin

Roller

Slogan

Chestergate, Macclesfield (Branch Office)

Duplex with E

Hope these are useful. More to follow.

Chippin

chippin · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 03:06:16 am

More Cheshire:

Chelford

West Bollington (Bollington near Macclesfield)

Prestbury

Kettleshulme

Wildboarclough and Wincle (both villages near Macclesfield)

Chippin

chippin · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 03:17:41 am

Buxton

Altrincham

Sleaford

Gateshead

Guildford

Bridgtown (Staffordshire) and Stafford

Broadway (Worcester)

Worcester

Bootle

Barmouth

Chippin

plsllvn · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 03:53:33 am

Here are a few you may be able to use,

Paul

Ringwood 644

Ringwood cds- backdate on cover

Boyle

London W

Grantshouse

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 04:40:18 am

All the above

Thanks again for these scans - all are now in place

ALLAN

honza · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 05:05:09 am

Ahoj Allan!

They are coming thick and fast now. Are you overwhelmed by them?
Tell us if you want us to slow down.

The late Victorian and Edwardian period is fascinating because there were so many sub post offices.

Are you able to determine the size of a postmark from the scan, because some circles are larger than others of the same type?

I'll post the two PAID strikes and you can tell me if they are not suitable.

1 This PAID strike was on an OHMS letter from the Inland Revenue in London to Hexham.

2 This PAID stamp was on a letter from the Stamp Office, Somerset Place, London

3 LONDON Maltese Cross no. 7

4 LONDON Maltese Cross no 5 on letter dated 28 Dec 1843

5 Ref 2524 FENCHURCH St like yours but in blue on letter dated 16 Apr 1850

6 BATH like Ref 588 but letters closer together and later 5 May 1852
code M

7 CARLISLE CUMBERLAND FIRST DAY OF ISSUE 22 Jan 1975

8 CARLISLE CUMBERLAND FIRST DAY OF ISSUE

9 CARLISLE CUMBRIA FIRST DAY COVER earliest 10 Mar 1976 latest 24 Nov 1976

Honza

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 05:49:44 am

Honza

All the above now in place ....

The number in the Maltese Cross are listed in the same way as all other numerical postmarks ... thus (7)

Your point regarding the size of the marks is very valid and with the exception of where the information is supplied I have in the past just listed the items 'as is'.

However, when you mentioned this again I decided to try and work out the measurments from a scan and so picked on one of those you just listed ....

The 10 March 1976 First Day postmark was the test subject shown and I got a measurement of a fraction under 168 mm.

If you could check this and let me know the true size then we will know if this is possible from the scans ....

Regards .. ALLAN

honza · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 05:52:52 am

Allan

1 Ref 3230 ILMINSTER later use 6 May 1852

2 Similar to Ref 3185 HULL but three lines avove and below no.

3 new place EARLSFIELD S.W.18

4 Ref 2479 FAREHAM HANTS earlier date 1 Sep 1965

5 Like Ref 4008 LIVERPOOL SHIP LETTER but year after month

Honza

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 06:09:32 am

All these now in the Database ...

I do like that Liverpool Ship letter boxed mark ... very nice

ALLAN

honza · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 07:03:14 am

Allan

I have measured the diameter of the 10 Mar 1976 FDPmk at 16 mm.

Thanks for telling me about the numbers being listed separately. I had not realised that.

1 Similar to Ref 3365 but with serifs

2 new DUMFRIES Burns commemorative

3 Ref 2240 scan required DURSLEY (not the clearest I'm afraid)

4 new place COBO S.O. GUERNSEY CHANNEL ISLANDS (sorry date not clear)

5 new CHESTER-LE-STREET Co. DURHAM wavy lines

6 new CARLISLE CUMBERLAND no. 4 double ring

7 new CARLISLE MOORLANDS RAIL FAIR

8 CARLISLE CUMBRIA FIRST DAY OF ISSUE in three lines 8 Jun 1977

Honza

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 08:27:40 am

UPDATE

The database now contains 5627 places / variations of postmarks of which 1675 are illustrated ...

I still have a lot of place names known that need to be added in and this will be taking place over the coming days. Once this stage has been completted - I will start checking through all the duplex numbers for England, Ireland and Scotland - which once completted should allow almost any part mark from the Victorian / Edward 7 period to be identified.

In addition I also have a large number of scans that have been sent direct to me and these are at this time stored as many have multiple items that need to be cropped down - and these will be added once the above stages are completted.

Scans posted on here will be dealt with as they are posted in order to keep all the posted details up to date.

My thanks again to all who have posted items here and I hope that members find the database useful in their studies ...

Regards .. ALLAN

skilo54 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:18:18 pm

Wow! Your site is great tallanent but I have to say so is this thread!

I have some London Postmarks that may add to date information or fill some gaps. Before I do, I would like to also contribute this to accompany my earlier post of the other Offenshaw:

Ofenshaw D.O., Manchester, Top Code 72? (my best guess after close inspektion)

skilo54 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:25:21 pm

London (Unknown Word?)

London

London 99 (My Birthday =

)

London 130

London Columbia Type

skilo54 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:34:01 pm

London S.W.

London E.C. Large Single Circular (Oct. 27 1911)

London E.C. 10

London E.C. 61

London E.C. (my guess is a partial Krag)

London W Columbia Type

skilo54 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:41:03 pm

Here is a nice little run of Salford: (IMHO anyways! :lol:

)

Salford X

Salford 1 (thick/stylized font in double circles)

Salford D.O. 3

Salford D.O. 4

Salford (MAIL?) 5 (also thick/stylized font)

chippin · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:52:28 pm

Skilo54

Your Ofenshaw (?) is Openshaw

Your first example of Salford is, I believe, Sleaford.

Some nice marks all the same.

chippin

honza · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:54:06 pm

[quote="skilo54"][color=#0000BF]London (Unknown Word?)

Ahoj skilo54!

I think this is not London, but another town ending in DON in the county of Hants.

Honza

Global Administrator · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:54:30 pm

Great thread .. keep them coming.

But a request, of no more than 8 images per post please.

When this page gets to 50 posts and we have up to 20 scans per post, that is near 1000 posts that needs to load slowing down the open up for most users. And impossible for anyone on a slow connection.

Skilo .. out of interest, all your scans here are "watery" and fuzzy.

Do you have your settings on "color photograph" or something odd like that?

Seems odd, and they are out of kilter with all other scans in the thread as you can see. :?:

Admin

Global Administrator · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 19:57:48 pm

[color=#0000BF]London S.W.

tallanent · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 20:40:16 pm

All those to this point that are identified are in the database. Those with part wording unknown (such as the DON / Hants) have been filed and as we develop we should be able to ID these with luck.

Limiting the number of images will as Admin have noted be better for all users and also make it easier for me to work with --- so good all round if members can take note :wink:

Coffee needed then I will start getting a few more names in place ..

ALLAN

Feebletodix · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 20:54:56 pm

Hi there Alan

A modern one Knowle PSO, poor but will provide an ID when you get to the seventies.

Stepping back in time

Exeter

Kingston

Saltash

Yealmpton

Holperton

Regards

Feebletodix


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