Questions On GB Postal History Covers Recently Purchased

Hi all,

While I was in the UK recently I visited Salop Stamps in Shrewsbury, one of the most picturesque cities in the UK. The proprietor Andy Neal is a very nice man so if you are ever there please pop in and say hello!

I purchased nine covers from him and have a question on the four shown below.











You can see in the description that a catalogue number is quoted (HA1257, SH648 and L514).

It makes sense that HA would be Hampshire, SH would be Shropshire and L would be London.

Does anyone know what catalogues are being referenced in these descriptions? Are they from "The British County Catalogue of
Postal History" by Willcocks & Jay?

Thanks folks

Hello Robert
Not sure which book is being referred to, however I do have a copy of Collect British Postmarks 8th Edition (2011), now printed by Stanley Gibbons. All the postmarks are in there, but are given a price, rather than a rating.
Happy New year
Huw

Did you purchase any 1840 two pence blue or penny black cover?

The references would appear to be from "The British County Catalogue of Postal History". A five volume set.

I checked the first item you have here, the 1798 out of Southhampton, and the reference is to HA1257. This cancel is noted from 1792-1795 and is indeed an "E" in terms of "rarity and value". The range of "E" is £31 to £50. I'm looking specifically at volume 4 which is copyrighted 1988.

Hope this helps,

Larry

Thanks Huw I should probably invest in that book, it sounds like it goes further than Lowe & the introductory book by Alcock/Holland.

No pennyblackie, no 1d blacks or 2d blues - I know from other posts how much you like those stamps on cover and your comment did make me smile

Larry, you are a star Thanks so much for all the extra info - now to track these books down!

Right, time to go and find some extra shelf space.......

Bobby, can't help loving these stamps, they are after all the mother of all adhesive stamps :)