Wales Postmarks Acquisition - Viewing Pleasure - More

I just acquired about 50 pages similar to the one below with several hundred stamps with what look like very well identified postmarks. Here is my dilemma. I originally bought these because there were about 100 penny reds and many more very early GB stamps but I bought them for the stamps. When I got the package I could see how much work had gone into this project and really admired the focus, BUT I don't understand the numbers. In the close up of Holyhead it looks like the person wrote 687 Holyhead 5571, above it 511 and J8 and underneath near the stamps "in 37H 1844/57 v.187H. I really would like to understand what I am looking at and be able to decipher what I would need to do to complete this project. I look like he only collected Wales as the sheets read Anglesey, Denbigh, Cardigan, etc. Is there a book that I need. Is there anyone out there that can help me with some of these identifications? Would anyone know if there are some cancellations that I should watch out for from a value point. I think I am going to enjoy this as I love the older GB issues and the sleuthing to determine postmarks, but I really need some help to get pointed in the right direction.

Try this list of ID numbers of Welsh Post Offices
http://gbstamp.co.uk/article/index-...les-147.html
Might help with some of the numbers - e.g. Holyhead is listed as 374 on the list, which is one of the numbers writted below Holyhead at the top left of your first page.
Another guess for some of the references might be Stanley Gibbons numbers.

Forgot to say - looks like a nice purchase and a fun project! Keep us posted with progress!

Thanks stampgal, that was a help, I printed it out and am matching some of the stuff up. Alot of numbers still don't jive, but I will eventually understand them. - Jeff

Yes, the alleged 37H is actually 374 so the numbers below are dates of use I would think, 1844/57 (1844 to 1857) and 1874.

The iii and v could be Roman numerals designating the different known usage dates in order of occurrence, so you are missing i, ii and iv ?

*drool*

What a dreamy collection. I would go right to the bookstore and buy "Collect British Postmarks" if I had a collection like that (and I probably should do so anyway). I am hoping that the SG KEVII to KGVI specialized I am waiting patiently for will have a section on postmarks (much like the QV specialized does).

Let us know if/when you decide to dispose of duplicates.

Wow can't make a lot from what is written but definatly most all references being postmark based rather than stamp based . The penny red was issued in 1841 until 1879, with approximatly 21 billion released. Imperf until officialy adopted perf 16 in 1854 however there were test perf 16 between 50-54 being distinguished by different type of letters used in lower letter boxes. 1855 perf change to 14. 1864 plate numbers added to lace work on both sides ( yours is plate 82) totally replaced in 1879 by venetian red.
With that info 1874 would be a good date for printing of plate 82 however that only helps one easy number on the sheet. The inland rev is likely covered by the 1844/57. All the other specific post office numbers I can't help with. But let me say for page 1 I want to see more and am interested what else is found out. Gotta say some beautiful super clear cancels.
Now if you start trying to build plates of penny reds you better have padded walls ( I'd be happy to help though)

Just as an aside, I'm not a Welsh expert but I believe the "LLanfairpwyllgwn" from Anglesey is the accepted shortened form of the longest placename in Britain -
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
Wikipedia have a facility where you can listen to the pronounciation. My Mum and Dad had lived in Wales when they were first married and my Mum taught me how to say it when I was a kid. (Probably wouldn't pass muster with any actual welsh speakers, though!)

Ah stampgal I remember the sign in the town well. I visited in 1995 and loved every bit of Wales and England that I explored. They really are quite proud of the name of their town, but I do wish the Welsh used a few less consonants and a few more vowels! :)

Chris did I forget to mention that my house comes with four padded rooms. One for my stamps, one for my genealogy, one for my history books and paraphenalia and one for my daughter (she's seventeen). That room is also lock, and padlocked. :) Wil post more scans as as I get more acquainted with what I am looking at writing in plate 82 1874 - correct? Thanks as always to one and all - Jeff

Some Brecon

Another couple of Wales postmarks

more fun viewing more cancellations

here's another couple of sheets, really stuck trying to figure out this guys system of ordering.

Is it that the area of posting is labeled on the top of the page and then the actual possible postmarks and arranged alphabetically below?

Caermartin is the county or postal area perhaps? and all the other postmarks are to be found within this county or area?

I don't know Puzzler. One of the biggest things that gets me is the "PL". Under Caernarvon I have these two under Caernarvon Montgomery and then this PL88 and PL203 (see above 5th scan). Don't know enough about them yet. Darn!