When Rowland Hill introduced the Penny Black adhesive label on the British Public, it could be understood that results were not immediate. Some people are adverse to change in the beginning, and mail was still prepaid by coin for some 10 years perhaps?
Some interesting audit numbers in that change of opinion and habit, that rapidly gained momentum, and probably an unforseen advantage for the exchequer, as stamps also became the method of paying for small debts in all stratas of society, man to man, town to town.
The stamp having this dual role, made it imperitive for the prevention of forgeries.
In 1840
285,079 letters a month were using the adhesive labels 1,198,612 letters a month were using coin.
In 1847 (April) 1,613,185 letters had adhesive labels 966,054 were prepaid by coin.
Interesting thought Puzzler, I should say, in circles where post was de rigeur, word of mouth for sure, (The wealthy and the educated) but small villages and the poor may have taken a little longer, however the sudden benefit of the use of postage as a usable coin for small debts, would have the stamps suddenly as a preferable fancy.
One has to remember the mail boys on horseback were required to blow their posthorn at every commercial premises where mail was to be delivered, and blow the horn four times on each and every hour.
Post, even prior to the gummed labels would be a normal part of life throughout England. I can imagine the sight movement of curtains as nosey ladies keen to see who has received the latest epistles in the village. A great source of gossip.
In London, I should say A4 "broadsheets" would have announced the stamps in major sections of the city.
Sure Kirk, just tell them come to speak with Australia Post.
2007 I think it was there were 648 stamp variations
I'll see if I can drag the article out.
a small cost of $1000 would have them all. They are taking a passion, a discipline, and perhaps once a type of dignity, and are milking it for whatever its worth.
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Posted 01/27/2011 5:58 pm
