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 Replies: 36 / Views: 2,534 |
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Pillar Of The Community
Singapore
750 Posts |
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I have always been fascinated by these stampless covers that were used before the penny black. Are these worth collecting and would you collect those that are pre or post 1840?  |
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Bedrock Of The Community
Australia
38679 Posts |
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Lovely Cover,
I certainly would collect it.
One half penny, script and impression.
"For
Miss M Macadam,
Castle Hill by Kilmarnock,
?? Troon
N.B. (N.B. = North Britain)
That's about as far as my knowledge goes.
Are we able to read the letter please ? |
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| Edited by rod222 - 09/16/2018 03:55 am |
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Pillar Of The Community
Singapore
750 Posts |
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This letter is on ebay and there are a number up for sale. For a pre 1840 cover, I am quite surprised that they don't cost a lot to own. You may want to check out some of these for sale. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
3211 Posts |
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Hi pennyblackie,
This cover shows the Additional Halfpenny tax that was applied in addition to postage when the letter was carried for any part of its journey in Scotland on a four-wheeled coach.
The handstamped ˝ is confirming the handwritten one.
The halfpenny tax would have been collected from the recipient along with the postage. |
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Nigel |
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Pillar Of The Community
Australia
3282 Posts |
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Hi Nigel,
Would the 1/2 not be the postage rather than the wheel tax charge?
And I'm with Rod, what is that word before Troon?? Letter??? |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
8579 Posts |
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I've sold a few bunches of pre- and post-1849 French stampless covers on ebay. They struggle to make 50p a cover. |
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Bedrock Of The Community
Australia
38679 Posts |
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Kilmarnock (Ayreshire, Scotland) was a mining town (Coal) which was railed to the Harbour at Troon (10 miles)
I am not sure what Troon would have to do with the passage of the letter.
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| Edited by rod222 - 09/16/2018 05:48 am |
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Bedrock Of The Community
Australia
38679 Posts |
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Nigel,
do we have any dates for the halfpenny rate usage ?
I am wondering if the cover is
Castlehill by Kilmarnock
Lesser Troon.
Castlehill was a mansion house, built in 1804, by Patrick Ballantine, a Slave trader, amongst other things.
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
3211 Posts |
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Bobby, the boxed halfpenny mark is a standard Additional Halfpenny mark according to Collect British Postmarks but I'm no expert on these.
Rod, the additional halfpenny charge was applied from 1813 to 1839.
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Nigel |
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
439 Posts |
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The halfpenny (pronounced Haypunny or haypknee) was a charge levied to compensate the contractors who transported the mail for the fact that the mail routes to Scotland were less profitable due to the poor roads. |
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Pillar Of The Community
Singapore
750 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
3211 Posts |
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Hi pennyblackie, I've not come across a Waterhead in Scotland.  Could it be Waterhead in Oldham? Or maybe Wanlockhead in Dumfriesshire? |
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Nigel |
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Pillar Of The Community
Singapore
750 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
3211 Posts |
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I think it's probably the name of a farm if it's in Scotland.
There's one at Boreland, another at Stewarton and maybe others. |
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Nigel |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
3211 Posts |
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I'm puzzled why the seller says it's from Waterhead.
I've looked at the cover and the letter and don't see it mentioned. |
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Nigel |
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Pillar Of The Community
Singapore
750 Posts |
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Replies: 36 / Views: 2,534 |
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Posted 09/16/2018 12:04 am
