Quote: The Birmingham murder most foul that left its stamp on history
The Midland-born Victorian social reformer Sir Rowland Hill - inventor of the penny postage stamp - played a little known part in a macabre episode in Birmingham's history, writes keen historian Peter Douglas Osborn
Postmarks played a major role in a famous murder case - that of Madeleine Smith in Scotland:
Crucial to the case was the chronology of certain letters from Smith to l'Angelier, and as the letters themselves were undated, the case hinged to some extent on the envelopes. One letter in particular depended on the correct interpretation of the date of the postmark which was unfortunately illegible, and attracted some caustic comments from the judge; but the vast majority of these postmarks were quite clearly struck. It transpired that when the police searched L'Angelier's room, many of Smith's letters were found without their envelopes and were then hurriedly collected and stuck into whichever envelopes came to hand.
Here is a partial scan of an aerogramme issued by the British Post for Mr. Hill in 1979. Shows a little more info on this gentleman.
Sorry, the unfolded aerogramme is larger than my scanner bed. Not missing much on the bottom, or nothing that relates to the person in question anyway. Enjoy
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Posted 09/28/2014 2:17 pm
