GB Foreign Branch Postmarks

Just to let everyone know I have been paying attention and their comments and tutorials are not in vain. I went through my "what the heck is this" book and found a couple of what I think are Great Britain Foreign Branch postmarks ( I did not know what the FB was before). I still don't have any idea what the stamps are. I don't think the smaller one is BOB, but I have not yet identified it. Can anyone confirm they are Foreign Branch postmarks and if anyone knows what the stamps are I would appreciat some help. Thanks to all in advance. - Jeff

Hi Jeff, The FB postmarks are "Foreign Branch" for mail handled in central London and sent overseas (as opposed to "IS" for Inland Section" which you also find.)

The ½d brown stamp is a cut-out from a newspaper wrapper from the the 1880s or 1890s.

The 2d stamp is Scott #113 from 1887.

There was a nice thread on GB FS and IS here:

https://goscf.com/t/7994#7994

OK need to change my Bureau to Branch and I think I have it. Thanks for the ID Nigel. I thought the 2d stamp would come out in my Scott but I had not looked yet. Was just happy to find the FBs. And thanks for the thread. Jeff

Beautiful stuff there Jeff,
good thread heading too, as advice
it is Foreign Branch.
Classified as "Postmarks printed matter"
The FB-M the "M" is a code for the amount attracted
by that particular piece of printed matter.

I'll gobble those up if you sell :)

These examples can be fairly generic
due to the rubber contruction and impressions
made.

I am not clear about the use of the word Branch. To me that would be a diplomatic or political usage. From your explanation Rod, FB-M for printed matter sounds more like our Media Mail. Is there somewhere I can read about this FB or get a dumbed down explanation. Sorry to be so elementary but this term is new to me. Thanks for all the help so far everyone. Jeff

When asessing this type of material Jeff,
you have to transport yourself back to a different time.

As today, communication was vastly important,
and the quantum leap the penny postage, and all its
offshoots created was a constant challenge to the GPO.

Seething masses of postal clerks at the London GPO
would be madly rushing to and fro, man handling
all postal material in mountainous sacks.

It must have been clear that mail, at one stage
had to be seperated for assessment of charges.

IS=inland section and FS=foreign section would be
obviously the first in the hiearchy.

Some written advice, hope you can read it
source
"Postal Markings printed matter"
Mr. curt furnau and translated from German.

That was it - thanks rod - Jeff

Great picture Rod.

It being Winter here now, I look at all the great windows in that picture and think that perhaps the rookies must have been started outside by the windows where it would be hotter in Summer and freezing in Winter, central heating and all.

Sort of like the Emperor Penguins, Puzz,
taking turns for heat in the centre :)

Remember this was Dickensian England,
there were some absolutely foul jobs to be had,
I think any parent having their offspring working
for the post office, would have been quite proud.
They seem to have the luxury of stools as well.

Here is another "Foreign Branch" that I scrounged up, and I know the other is not, and I can read the date of 2 Jan 1886, but does anyone know (what a silly question) what the H stands for? I would like to know. Thanks as always - Jeff

What you have there Jeff, is a disguised "hooded" CDS
deliciously beautiful when seen in all its splendour,
your stamp was not big enough to capture the hammer impression.

A guess; "H" stands for the counter position, or for
audit purposes.


an example of a hooded cds

with "PP 10" (unknown to me)

you are right, it is a beaut. maybe I will find one on piece