Evening all, hoping someone can help identify the red stamped marks on a pre-stamp cover from 1835 that I acquired this week. The cover is quite tatty, and the message written inside is horizontal, vertical and diagonal to save paper. Accordingly the writing is very difficult to decipher, but the last part of the message reads 'We think not to go to Box Hill till Tuesday morn'. The cover is addressed to Walthamstow, which is north-east London, and Box Hill is south-west London. The cover carries a large '3', which I assume is the postage cost, a red stamp with a word with the initial P in a rectangular box with bulge (crown?) to the top, and an August 14 1835 postmark in a red oval with an undecipherable name to the top. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards DavidR
There is the oval London time mark in red "7 NIGHT 7".So I would assume it arrived at night before final delivery the next Morning. On the front there looks like a T P boxed cancel with the name in the box.
The red boxed Postmark, is a receiving house strike, Typically teasing, they are generally very hard to decipher, perhaps "port???" (I'll take a guess... HOUNSLOW ..13miles) An collector aufait with London districts may be able to suggest, given the transit route.
It is a "stepped type" Framed, (1816-1850) the two letters above the name, are "TP" = Twopenny Post. CV £4 1983
I don't really understand the London environs of that date, but the "3" is 3d (on a two penny post) indicating the letter came from a "country area" of London environ. (as opposed to the "Town Area") (cover uprated) 3d to be paid by the receiver.
perf12 and rod222, thank you gentlemen! I would never have got Hounslow but I can see it now! Also I was convinced the other mark was a town or village name, didn't see 'night' in there at all! Your helpful comments will be incorporated into my write-up. Thanks again. Best regards DavidR
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