Qv Penny Red, Some Help With Dating A Cover

Hi All

I'm seeing 1853 on the cds but maybe 1855 on the Airdrie box, any thoughts?

thanks

1853. The loop of the 5 keeps descending longer, on the 3 it turns upward halfway again. Both are 1853.

Helensburgh?

thanks NSK, so ill show a scan of the front for the next question.

Would this cover would be within date and known plates for a Henry Archer perf trial cover? or am I missing something?

Opinion.
I'd rely on the CDS 1853
the date in the AIRDRIE box (In Blue) may have a 3 with a flat top.

The interest for me is the Box strike, presumably hand hammer with removable slugs, this is new for me.
Looking for other strikes with a "3" may solve your question
I'll look in Daniels Monograph see if rates a mention.

Only other boxed Airdrie I have seen is 1842

Interesting, perforated Penny Reds would mean 1855.
And the numeral cancellation matches the date stamp: Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire.

What is the perforation gauge?

If the imperf. plate 167 dates from April 1853.

The stamp is perf 16,

The HELENSBURGH cds, is a new type for the Philatelic Database
earliest they have is 1867 (Code letter at top)

Address? That's a tough one

7 Church Manse

Town?

i thought / guessed it may be holy town?

The "5" in the Helensburg date stamp appears to be on top of an 8. I have some doubts about this item. The obliterator appears to tie the stamp to the entire at the left, but only in the centre, where it is smudged. In the northeast corner, it does not do so at all. On the right appears to be the fringe of another stamp, but there is not the slightest trace of the stamp on the entire.

The top two lines below the 76 in the obliterator appear to cover up another number.

Wow!
nice guess, HOLYTOWN Lanarkshire

the right side of the stamp is lifted from the cover, carefully bending it back reveals the outline of the stamp and a clean cover if you get my meaning but im starting to understand the concerns.

Numeral 76 is CARNOUSTIE Forfarshire
Does that fit?
No one has mentioned the RED strike, any ideas?

Aha! Numeral 176 is HELENSBURGH Dumbartonshire Tick

the cover was in an old collection I bought at my local auction house, I have 2 other covers similar but I think they fall outside of the trials , ill scan them.

Rod the red box cancel is Holytown , its on the other cover im about to show...