Cover From England From 1840 Needs Help

Hi,anybody has some information about January 9 1840 in england?was really the last day of mailing without stamp?I have this letter from 1840 that has a hand writing explaining that was the last day of that type of mailing
thanks in advance





naufrago

Well Great Britain did not issue postage stamps until May 6, 1840 (6 May 1840). However I believe the postal reforms, reduction in costs for letters, of 1840 began prior to the release of the stamp. As shown below, it started Jan 10, 1840:


You have yourself a wonderful find!
While postal history folks enjoy the item, stamp collectors maybe less impressed because, "Where's the stamp?"

The first stamps in the world were the Penny Black and Twopence Blue. They were valid from 6 May 1840. The Penny Black was used - but not valid - from 1 May 1840. The 2d blue, probably, was not available before 6 May 1840 and only at a few post offices in London.

If it would be correct what you write, there would have been no way to send mail from January 10th until May 5th, including. So, obviously, this is not the case. Even after 6 May, mail was sent without affixing a stamp. In fact, you can still do it.

Also, on 6 May 1840, the GPO issued Mulready stationary that did not require a stamp as it prepaid postage.

NSK
Thanks,i just read that yes may 6 was the first stamp and was a success with 60000 sold where Mr hill was denominated postal director,so what is written in the front is not true,thanks

Parcelpostguy


Yes,i was answering NSK while you post this thanks

@Parcelpostguy

That is the announcement for the "Uniform Penny Postage." It took effect around the 10th. It replaced the 4d Uniform Postage rate introduced a little earlier. The Uniform Penny Postage was the culmination of Rowland Hill's postal reforms. This paved the way for the issuance of adhesive labels on 6 May 1840 and the Mulready stationary.

Before the uniform rates, postage was paid based on weight, and actual distance carried.

The hand written note actually says "Last day of old postage" (I think.) So the hand written note would be correct according to the Post Office Regulations.
It does not mention stamps so Naufrago just assumed more than was written.

Still a nice cover.

Nice find!

The note is not contemporaneous.

I'm not sure when stamps became compulsory for postage within the UK but I have a couple of inwards letters to Australia from the 1850s that don't have stamps.

The manuscript noted, "Last day of old postage" is correct as 9 Jan 1840 was the last day of the then current rates of postage (normally paid for by the recipient). Remember postage is the cost to mail, postage stamps issued much later were to show that postage was (and still is today) paid by the sender. Postage stamps are also used to demonstrate payment of fees exclusive of postage.

Until 1853 the addressee could pay on receipt.

https://www.rh7.org/factshts/postal.pdf

It appears stamps became compulsory in New South Wales from 1 January 1857.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/...le/229954872

Can anyone interpret the scrawl to see what this letter was charged?

Opinion.
Penny Happeny, 1.5d, Three halfpence.

With a uniform 4d rate, I'd say it's a triple rate letter, ie: one shilling.

Captain Obvious says that was a HUGE difference for not waiting a day (not prepaid was 2d after this day). I can only guess that the sender was unaware of the rate change or perhaps thought the new rate would apply on delivery.

Maybe naufrago can help out on that last point. It looks like a lettersheet. I do not see a reason it would have been heavier than 1/2 oz.
According to my SG specialised, from 5 December 1839 until 9 January 1840, including, the first half oz. cost 4d., the second cost another 4d, and then the next step was 1-2 oz. If it was in that third weight step, I would have been 1/4 (4 x 1/2 oz. = 4 x 4d), not 1/-.

Since the sender mentions it is the last day of old postage, it seems strange to me he then thinks the item will be charged at the new tarriff. The sender appears to be very aware old postage applied. Why did he not write "first day of new postage?" 2d (or 8d if it was the third weight step) was a lot of money, but not to everyone. And not everyone tended to be able to write and be informed.