VERY RARE '75 75 75' ROLLER CANCEL ON DISALLOWED PRINTER MATTER - UNUSUAL; Oct. 1856 EL (refolded in places) to London franked 1d Red (3 - with defects) with rare H-rated roller cancel, endorsed at top 'contains writing' and with circular "MORE TO PAY" h.s. on front. Cross Reference : PRINTED MATTER, CANCELLATIONS, POSTAGE DUES (Image)

1897 BALLOON FLIGHT - ELECTIONEERING HANDBILL: 1897 printed handbill (crease) on thin paper depicting a balloon flight headed "A Message from above/TO THE ELECTORS OF SOHO WARD" [Birmingham] asking them to vote for the famous balloonist and aeronaut [George Philip] "LEMPRIERE". A rare election handbill dropped over Birmingham by hot-air balloon [Ex Peter Jennings collection, bought at auction for c£360]. Rare. Cross Reference : BALLOON MAIL, PARLIAMENTARY, AIRSHIPS/BALLOONS, EPHEMERA (Image)

KNOWLE - VERY RARE BAG SEAL CANCEL ON 1d ENVELOPE - 23 Apr. 1847 1d Pink env. (faults) to Surrey cancelled with scarce 79 numeral of Knowle, Birmingham cds and KNOWLE intaglio bag seal on rear. Very unusual and possibly unique for this P.O. Cross Reference : POSTAL STATIONERY, Q.V. (Image)

RARE BIRMINGHAM SHIP CANCEL; May 1914 PPC (slight creasing at top right) to Wales (message in Welsh) franked GB KGV 1d tied by "BIRMINGHAM/SHIP" cds and with part NY P.O. Hudson Terminus Station Paquebot d.s. alongside and probably posted on the Cunard R.M.S Carmania. Cross Reference : WELSH POSTAL HISTORY, SHIP LETTERS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Image)