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

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22 THE POSTMARKS OF THE BRITISH ISLES FROM I84O.
Shortly afterwards another machine, known as the " Parallel," was brought forward
by the same inventor, and this, which was worked by hand, came into use in May, 1858,
the impression being as in Fig. 121. This latter stamp was manufactured by Messrs.
Fig. 121.
Walter May and Co., of Birmingham, at a cost of £6 los. each. Twenty of them were
purchased.
An improved machine, known as
the " Pivot," was introduced by Mr. Pearson Hill
in 1 866. The dies of the postmark remained practically the same.
The following return for November, 1859, shows the stamps in use at the Chief
London Ofifice, their cost, and number of letters stamped by each :
Description of stamp.
Hand Stamps.