Machine Cancellations. French Machine - Liverpool. 1857 (Nov 12) Cover to Hawes with a 1d red tied by the experimental French stamping machine duplex of Liverpool, the datestamp portion with a distinctive single arc at base and large code "F", endorsed "above ½oz" and charged 2d. This self inking machine was trialed in Liverpool and Manchester in November 1857, the Liverpool cancel only recorded for November 11th-12th. A rare machine cancel, with articles on the machine; there was no example in the extensive Michael Goodman collection of machine cancels. Photo on Page 270. (Image1)

Pearson Hill. 1858 (Jan 14) Entire letter franked 1d to Lutterworth, cancelled by the second London Pearson Hill trial machine with "A" at the top and "LONDON" at the base, code "A", offset impression on the reverse, light file folds, otherwise very fine. Photo on Page 270. (Image1)

Pearson Hill. 1858 (Mar 12) Cover to Glasgow with a 1d red (corner fault) tied by the third London Pearson Hill trial machine consisting of twin circular datestamps with code "CB". A fine example of this rare machine, which was only trialed for about ten days in early March. Photo on Page 270. (Image1)

Pearson Hill. 1858 (Mar 30) Large Crown perf 14 1d red with Pearson Hill "Opera Glass" fourth type London trial machine cancel, code B, a few short perf tips and minor discolouration at right, a scarce cancel. Photo on Page 268. (Image1)

Charles Rideout. 1858-66 Entires and covers with London Rideout machine duplexs comprising 1858-59 first trial period machine number "1" code "HS" with eight lines above central diamond or with seven lines above the diamond (on 1d pink envelope); and machine number "2" code "CR" machines used in the first trial period in 1859 and again in the second trial period in 1866. (4).

Creswell. 1857-69 Covers with Cresswell manually operated stamping machine duplex cancels, with distinctive small circular datestamps, comprising London "71" duplex (with a second example on large piece), Exeter "285", or the unusual Rugby "659" duplex on a 1d pink envelope. (4).

Pearson Hill Parallel Motion Machines. 1859-63 Entire letter and covers with parallel motion machine duplexs of London, numeral "3" with 17 narrow bars or nine wide bars, "4" in eleven narrow bars, or "2" in nine wide bars. (4).

Azemar Postcard machine trial. 1871 (Jan 5) ½d Violet postcard from London to Jersey, cancelled by the experimental machine "89" cancel within a vertical oval of broken bars with boxed "JG / LONDON / 5 JA 71" alongside. This machine was briefly trialed in January 1871 on postcards. A couple of minor tone spots, otherwise very fine and extremely scarce. Photo on Page 272. (Image1)

Vaile's Machine. 1878 G.B ½d Brown postcard cancelled by Vaile's trial machine with circular Auckland, New Zealand, date dies for SE 2 74 separated by a grid of diamonds. This machine was invented by Robert Vaile of Auckland, New Zealand, who visited England in 1878, when he gave a demonstration of his machine to officers at the General Post Office, stamping a number of dummy letters and cards. This demonstration occurred on March 20th, but these items of test mail were datestamped September 2nd 1874; three such items, together with drawings of alternative machine formats, still exist in Post Office archives with a negative report about the machine. An exceptional rarity, with an article on this machine, rejected by the British Post Office on the grounds that the machine produced a continuous impression which would not be acceptable to the public. Photo included on Back Cover. (Image1)

Hosters. 1883-91 Covers and cards (8) and a piece with various London Hosters, including 1883 (Sep 5) London E.C. trial on piece with small lettering and 14 narrow bars at right only, 1884-85 covers with larger lettering and 14 wide bars at right only or with two further corner bars added at left, etc., one cancel on ½d violet postcard. (9).

Hoster - Newspaper Branch. 1886 (Jan 20) Printed circular sent at the ½d printed matter rate, ½d blue cancelled by "LONDON / NPB" Hoster with four central stars and no date. A fine and uncommon cancel. Photo on Page 272. (Image1)

Hoster. 1887 (Feb 21) ½d Brown postcard cancelled by the London Hoster trial cancel with square dots to either side of the date portion, redirected from Brynmawr to Swanage charged ½d, refused and presumably returned to the sender. A very scarce cancel. Photo on Page 272. (Image1)

Ethridge. 1886 (Dec 7) Cover to Langholm franked 1d, cancelled by the Ethridge machine with six straight bars, time code "MP". This machine was trialed in London in 1886-87. Light central vertical fold and small part of reverse side flap missing, otherwise fine and scarce. Photo on Page 272. (Image1)

Malin. 1891 (Jan 16) 1d Postcard to Paris cancelled by the "Malin" London experimental machine with "59" in side bars at right, trialed in 1890-91 on postcards addressed abroad. Minor creasing, otherwise fine and rare. Photo on Page 272. (Image1)

International / Hey Dolphin. 1893 (Sep 6) 1d Postcard to Belgium cancelled by International (or Hey Dolphin) machine with "1" within seven bars, "- 6 -" time, Anvers arrival c.d.s. This machine was trialed in London for a 23 day period in August and September, fine and scarce, very few examples recorded on mail addressed abroad. Photo on Page 272. (Image1)

Empire Machine. 1898 (Mar 17) Piece bearing a 1d lilac cancelled by a complete impression of the "ENGLAND" within a flag trial machine, date portion with "2-20P" time. This machine was trialed for just four days in London. Very rare with just four complete covers or cards and a few stamps and pieces recorded, one of the covers selling in our September 2018 auction for £4,600. Photo on Page 242. (Image1)

Boston Machine. 1898 (Aug 30) ½d Postcard sent within London, cancelled by the Boston machine with "12-30P" time and "1" within seven wavy lines. This machine was trialed for just 36 days in August and September. Fine and scarce. Photo on Page 272. (Image1)

Krag Continuous Impression. 1905 (May 19) Picture postcard franked ½d tied by the London WC Krag with continental hammer head type town dies. A scarce cancel, trialed for just three days (May 18-20), minor corner crease, otherwise fine. Photo on Page 274. (Image1)

Wilkinson "Penny in the Slot" Machine. 1912 Covers all with red "LONDON E.C / 1d / POSTAGE PAID / (crown)" die and "LONDON E.C / 172" c.d.s, one cover with the Postage Paid die unusually cancelling a KGV 1d stamp, another cover to West Down South Camp with arrival c.d.s but endorsed "Camp Closed" and "not called for" and redirected to Salisbury. (3).

1899-1953 Machine cancels and slogans, the collection in an album including V.R and E.R Bickerdikes (including July 1 1901 ER machine with previous QV style crown), "Boston" machines of London and Liverpool, 1902 Hey Dolphin trials with "1/C" within seven wavy bars or with red London Paid c.d.s without bars, Columbia continuous impression trials with three wide bars or six bars arranged in three pairs, 1908 Sylbe trial, Universal and Krag machines, and a good array of slogans with scarcer telephone types (76, also a few pieces), an interesting lot with some uncommon machine cancels. (123+).