The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1746 (12 Aug.) entire letter "per ye Snaper" to Robert Hamilton care of James Banahan in London ", rated "1N6" and showing, on reverse, fine "jamaica" (Foster J1 sub type with tail of the "j" not extending below the line of the other letters), Bishop mark on reverse. The previously unrecorded type of the "jamaica" handstamp and the earliest date recorded by Foster, the other three examples recorded at the time of the Foster sale being dated between January 1747 and July 1749. Proud PS2 and the earliest date of use recorded by him. An important Jamaica rarity. Photoprovenance:. Lt. Col. G. Saville-Smith. Bob Swarbrick, September 1995 (Image1)

Est. £1,500-1,800

The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1757 (6 Aug.) entire letter from the Hon. Frederick Maitland in Kingston to his brother the Earl of Lauderdale in Edinburgh, rated "1N6" and showing, on reverse, very fine "jamaica" (J1 sub type with tail of "j" extending below the other letters) and with "8/oc" Bishop mark alongside. Proud PS3. Photo (Image1)

Est. £150-200

The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1760 (11 June) triple rate entire letter from "Kingston" "p the Lady Augusta Packet" to Mrs. Frances Perrin care of George Chandler in London, rated "4N6" and showing, on reverse, largely fine "jamaica" (J1 sub type with "j" below other letters) and equally fine "18/au" Bishop mark; the contents include "I have not been able to see Mr. Mark Hall this long time, he being defending the Estate against the rebellious Negroes". Proud PS3. Photo (Image1)

Est. £350-400

The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1772 (14 Oct.) double rate entire letter headed "Kingston" "pr. the Hilsbro Pacquet Boat" to Duncan Graham care of Alexander Cuningham, Edinburgh, marked "2N" corrected to "3N" and showing, on reverse, superb "iamaica" (J3) and two "18/ja" Bishop marks. Proud PS4. Photo (Image1)

Est. £250-300

The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1778 (3 July) entire letter "p Halifax packet" to London, rated "1N-" UK inward Packet charge to London and showing, on reverse, fine 5th. Type "jamaica" handstamp and "7/se" Bishop mark. The Halifax packet under John Boulderson Jnr. left Falmouth on 22 April 1779 and was captured on the return trip (Image1)

Est. £100-120

The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1779 (May and July) entire letters ex the Graham correspondence from Kingston to Edinburgh, the first a single rate "p Anna Teresa Packet" with "In all" handstamp followed by "1n6" and with fine 5th. Type "jamaica" handstamp (Proud PS6) and Bishop mark on reverse, the second "p Lord Hyde Pacquet" uprated from single to double to treble rate and with superb 5th. Type "jamaica" and Bishop mark on reverse; accompanied by 1795 (June) entire letter "pr Packet" from Kingston Surrey to Kingston showing superb "kingston" Surrey serpentine handstamp. An attractive trioprovenance:. Bob Swarbrick, September 1995 for last (Image1)

Est. £300-400

The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1784 (23 Feb.) entire letter headed "Grange Estate" and " p Packet" being carried by the "Nemesis" Frigate "Care of Messers. Davidsons and Graham, London", rated "1n" and showing, on reverse, superb 6th. Type "iamaica" exhibiting perfectly. Proud PS8. Photo (Image1)

Est. £600-700

The Kingston "jamaica" and "iamaica" Handstamps. 1790 (4 Mar.) entire letter from an Officer on board HMS Centurion at Port Royal Harbour advising that this letter, and others, would be entrusted to a Gentleman Officer returning to London on HMS Amphion, addressed to Rev. Alloh "To be left at the Post Office at Pontefract", rated "1/-" and showing a fine strike of the 7th. Type "jamaica" with slightly unaligned letters, arrival datestamp (28/4) on reverse; a couple of edge faults though the sole example recorded of this handstamp. Proud PS9. Photo (Image1)

Est. £400-500