The History of the Postmarks of the British Isles from 1840 to 1876 - John Hendy (1909)

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THE POSTMARKS OF THE BRITISH ISLES FROM I84O.
In October, 1853, Lord Canning,' then Postmaster-General, having observed the
defective manner in which letters were date-stamped in the various offices,
expressed his
desire that if possible some improved stamp, or mode of stamping, might be invented
that would give a clearer impression. Nothing, however, was done at the time, and
little more was heard of the subject until December, 1856, when Lord Chief Justice
Campbell called forcible attention to the illegible stamping of postmarks on letters. A
case came before his lordship in the High Court of Justice (Fernihough v. the Sittingbourne
and Sheerness Railway) which turned on the point of the allotment of certain
shares. According to the evidence of a clerk from the Lombard Street branch office,
who was called as a witness, the letter must have been posted between seven o'clock on
the evening of the 6th of August and seven o'clock the following morning. The stamps
referred to are shown in Figs. 84, 85. The postmark impressed upon the letter in point
L.S .
6 JU 8
Fig. 84. Used on letters posted in
country boxes at Lombard Street,
B.O., between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Fig. 85. Used (similarly to Fig. 61)
on letters posted between 7 and
10 p.m.
was rather illegible, and an argument arose as to its being accepted as evidence, whereupon
Lord Campbell remarked that " He had for ten years remonstrated with successive
Postmasters on the subject. The mode of stamping was perfectly disgraceful, and was
often a hindrance to justice."
In writing to the Postmaster-General, the Lord Chief Justice referred to another
case, which had occurred in Edinburgh. In this trial it was very important to ascertain
when a particular letter passed through the post ;
yet the postmark was so blotched that
neither letters nor figures could be distinguished, which had produced the most serious
inconvenience to the individuals concerned. Lord Campbell contended that these cases
proved the necessity for an immediate improvement.
The unsuitable nature of the stamping composition then in use was also alleged to
be the cause of bad stamping. The colour of these inks varied, 6lue, pink, green, and
purple being purchased at is. jd. per lb., whilst r^rfand black cost is. 2d. per lb.
Following on Lord Campbell's complaint, it was determined, if possible, with a view
to the clear and legible stamping of letters, to obtain a superior ink. The firm of
Shackell and Edwards submitted a specially manufactured ink, which upon test was
found to be far superior to the inks then in use, and a contract was entered into with
that firm for a regular supply of their inks, which they agreed to furnish at the following
prices : Black and red, 2s. 6d. per lb., and blue at 2s, 3d. The additional cost was about
;^30o a year. Another ink, Henry Stephens' "blue fluid," was also brought into use at