1891 (Aug 28) Cover from Manchester to Bradford franked 1d + 2d, with red "POST OFFICE / EXPRESS" label, endorsed "Express delivery 1·30 Mail" and "Received 4·45pm", arrival backstamps. A scarce early cover sent in the first month in which express letters could be sent between different towns; the rate of 2d per mile + postage only existed from the introduction of local express services in March 1891 until the end of December 1891. Photo on Page 122. (Image1)

1898-1902 Covers sent entirely by express delivery within London, therefore only paid the 3d express fee, the first a 1d pink envelope bearing 1d lilac pair to Lavender Hill, tied Clapham Common c.d.s; the other from London Western Office to Oxford St. franked 3d (perfin M&S) with oval "EXPRESS" handstamp, both with "M.-No. 55 / POST OFFICE / EXPRESS" labels in red or pink. The 1902 cover with edge tear and minor edge staining, otherwise both fine and early. (2).

1899-c.1901 Stampless covers sent within London, the postage having been applied to an "E" form, the first to Barry Road with Lordship Lane S.E c.d.s and oval "EXPRESS" handstamp, unusually endorsed "By Special Messenger, await reply"; the second to Grosvenor Place with unusual "ALL CHARGES PAID" handstamp. A scarce pair, the first ex Vivien Sussex collection and illustrated in "Express Service 1891-1971" by Hilary Wellsted. (2). Photo on Page 122. (Image1)

1908 Stampless "E" form with Lewisham, Lee Bridge S.E c.d.s, for a postcard paid 1d postage + 3d express fee. The original postcard, addressed to Shell Rd, Lewisham, was posted at 10·10am and received by 10·25am. Small piece torn from upper left of form, otherwise fine and a rare item to have survived. Ex Vivien Sussex collection.

1909 Cover from Lincoln to London franked 4d + 1/- (1d postage + 1/3 express fee) and bearing a Great Northern Railway 2d parcel stamp (folded over the flap, pen cancelled), to pay for railway letter service to London, endorsed "1/3 express fee paid, to be handed to Post Office Express Messenger at Kings Cross", bearing red "M.-No. 55 / POST OFFICE / EXPRESS" label and "EXPRESS / To be handed to / POST OFFICE MESSENGER / at Kings X Station" label. The cover was redirected to Brighton and reposted at Paddington franked 3d, to pay for new express delivery within Brighton. An exceptional cover showing payment of two differing express fees and the railway letter service unusually paid for using a parcel stamp. Ex Vivien Sussex collection. Photo on Page 122. (Image1)

c.1909 Long KEVII 1d stationery envelope to Norwich endorsed "Express Delivery" and handstamped red "EXPRESS", sent as a railway letter on the South Eastern & Chatham Railway to Cannon St., express messenger to Liverpool St., again as a railway letter on the Great Eastern Railway to Norwich, and then delivered by express messenger, with two "EXPRESS / To be handed to / POST OFFICE MESSENGER / at ....... Station" labels for Cannon St. and Norwich. Endorsed "Collect 7d from addressee, charges due incurred in London, Booking fee 2d, waiting fee 2d, express fee 3d, total 7d" in red ink, and "1/- to pay" in black ink, the final charge including an extra 5d for express charges incurred in Norwich, the envelope and both railway letter stamps cancelled in manuscript. A remarkable cover showing railway letter services by two differing railway companies and express fees (including booking and waiting fees) collected upon delivery from the addressee. Ex Vivien Sussex collection. Photo on Page 122. (Image1)

1910 Cover from Smithfield Market to Muswell Hill handstamped "EXPRESS", carried entirely by express messenger, the 1/6 rate for a distance of six miles paid by KEVII 1/2d, 1d, 21/2d + 7d pair all tied by Smithfield Market B.O c.d.s. A very unusual franking. Photo on Page 124. (Image1)

1912 Cover bearing Federated Malay States 4c tied by fine "BATU GAJAH" squared circle with a second strike alongside, addressed to Hampton, Middlesex, redirected to Bournemouth by express delivery franked KEVII "Harrison" 3d, with red "POST OFFICE / EXPRESS / (M.-No. 55)" label. An attractive and unusual redirected cover from Perak. Photo on Page 124. (Image1)

Underpaid Mail. 1915-36 Covers and a card all underpaid and charged upon arrival, with 1915 cover from Glasgow to Bridge of Allan franked 1d + 3d, oval "EXPRESS" handstamp, endorsed "3d to pay, over 1 mile"; 1917 picture postcard from West Runton to Blickling, Aylsham franked 1d pair bearing red "POST OFFICE / EXPRESS / (M.-No. 55)" label and endorsed "Collect 2d more on delivery"; and 1936 cover from Greenock to Edinburgh franked 11/2d + 6d with red Express label, handstamped "Express Fee partly paid / Charge of 6d / to be collected on Delivery". Pre-war underpaid internal express mail is rarely seen. (3).

1924-39 Stampless express covers, the postage having been affixed to an "E" form, the first sent within Bromley with the very unusual handstamp "SPECIAL DELIVERY / PAID" between horizontal bars, endorsed "not known here" and "gone away", Bromley c.d.s; the second to Southsea with Portsmouth c.d.s and oval "POST OFFICE / EXPRESS / DELIVERY", endorsed "1 shilling stamp affixed to E form". A few minor stains, otherwise fine and the only example of the Bromley "Paid" handstamp we have seen. (2). Photo on Page 124. (Image1)

1939-52 KGVI Covers including 1939 (Sep.) O.H.M.S "Urgent Mobilisation" cover sent Official Paid but franked 6d for express delivery; 1940 censored express cover from Belfast to Scotland franked 21/2d + 6d with scarce small "EX" label and the usual red Express label; 1945 Official Paid cover franked 9d for express delivery tied by Ballykinler Camp datestamps; 1946 cover franked 9d to include 1/2d late fee; 1946 51/2d size H registration envelope franked 6d; and other covers franked 81/2d (5, one with pair of scarce small "EX" labels) or 1/21/2d. (11).

1942 Cover from Milebrook, Plymouth to Brownhills near Walsall franked 21/2d + 6d, with red Express label, the reverse with red "EXPRESS / To be handed to / POST OFFICE MESSENGER / at Brownhills Bus Station" label and bearing three County Borough of Walsall Transport Department 1d bus parcel stamps. A remarkable cover, believed to be the only known express cover despatched upon arrival by bus, opened out for display. Ex Vivien Sussex Collection. Photo on Page 124. (Image1)

1953-65 QEII Covers with various express handstamps or labels, including 1953 parcel front franked 2/2, Official Paid covers (3), 3d lettercard franked 1/-, also 21 other covers franked at eleven differing rates between 81/2d and 3/5, two covers with small "EX" labels, a QEII 1/- P.T.P.O postal stationery postcard with red Express label printed in the upper corner, and a mint sheet of forty Express labels. An interesting lot, two covers showing late use of the "Express" labels after "Special Delivery" labels had been introduced for use on internal mail. (28).

1954-55 Stampless registered covers both addressed by Prince Philip to "Frank Carr, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London S.E.10" and initialled "P" in the corner, with enclosed letters written and signed by Prince Philip on Buckingham Palace or Sandringham notepaper, the first concerning the "Cutty Sark" that is now safely in dry dock, the second McAlpine's help with the mast of the "Victoria & Albert". Both covers have circular "EIIR" cypher cachet, the first with Sandringham registration label, red Express label, red Sandringham Official Paid c.d.s and "SANDRINGHAM / NORFOLK" double ring backstamps; the other with violet oval "POST OFFICE / EXPRESS / DELIVERY" and "REGISTERED / BUCKINGHAM PALACE S.W.1" datestamps with London S.W.32 registration label. (2 covers + 2 letters). Photo on Page 124. (Image1)