1839 Large wall poster (51x73½cm) produced by the Mercantile Committee on Postage to publicise their July 10th meeting at the Mansion House, headed "UNIFORM / PENNY / POSTAGE", continuing "Great Britain is the First to Start the Uniform Penny Postage by waiting a year for the measure, to be the last to get it, and thus lose the race to France, and Belgium, and Prussia, & the United States? Citizens of London! Answer this Question at the Mansion House on Wednesday next, July 10", printed by T. Brettell, Rupert Street, Haymarket. Some severe wear to the edges and folds, professionally repaired, rebacked on paper with some loss to wording along central vertical and horizontal folds. Nevertheless a spectacular poster, possibly unique in private hands. Item 57 in Henry Cole's list of Mercantile Papers; the only other example recorded in James Grimwood Taylor's recent book on Postal Reform is in the British Library.
Opening GBP 800.00
Sold...GBP 1,900.00
Closed..Oct-13-2021, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 1900
Sale No: 48
Lot No: 659
Symbol:
1840 (Jan 6) Printed circular from the National Bank of Scotland to the bank in Stromness, endorsed "under ½ ounce" with fine "4" charge mark of Edinburgh. The letter gives instructions on how mail should be sent once penny postage is introduced on January 10th - weighing machines will be furnished to all bank branches and all letters must be marked with the weight, letters to head office and branches must be prepaid, other letters may be prepaid if postage can be charged to a clients account, but posted unpaid where postage cannot be recovered, weekly returns to be sent by post and no longer by coach parcels.
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 440.00
Closed..Oct-13-2021, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 440
Sale No: 48
Lot No: 660
Symbol:
1847 (Jan 5) Letter written and signed by Elihu Burritt on League of Universal Brotherhood pictorial notepaper. Burritt declines an invitation to visit Ipswich as he has a series of engagements in Yorkshire, and is reluctant to take part in a meeting called to oppose a policy of the English Government. Burritt's many campaigns included the promotion of Ocean Penny Postage.
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 210.00
Closed..Oct-13-2021, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 210
Sale No: 48
Lot No: 661
Symbol:
1898 (Dec.) Very small Post Office Notice headed "PENNY POSTAGE TO INDIA AND THE UNDERMENTIONED BRITISH COLONIES AND PROTECTORATES", announcing the introduction on Christmas day of 1d per ½oz postage to thirty colonies including India, Canada, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Straits Settlements, Leeward & Windward Islands, etc. Light folds, otherwise fine, 120x192mm.
