Clerks of the Road/Newspapers. 1731-41 Entire letters from Clerks of the Road at the G.P.O London sent free, the letters concerning newspapers (which the Clerks of the Road could frank to regular subscribers), comprising 1731 letter from Charles Westgarth, Clerk of the West Road, to Taunton seeking to send newspapers to Hampshire & the West Country; 1734 letter from Jabez Harris, Clerk of the Western Roads, to Sir Christopher Musgrave in Penrith with a bill for newspapers; and 1740 letter from Christopher Harris to Penrith with a bill for newspapers receipted by the Penrith Post Master. (3).

1743-1839 Entire letters all franked with M.Ps signatures which differ to those used on their letters, with the addition of Free to the signature or lines above or through signatures, an attempt to prevent autographs being fraudulently copied for franks, including "WfreeWilberforce" on 1815 entire sent by the slave trade abolitionist William Wilberforce from Brighton. (6).

1784 23 Page pamphlet "An Authentick Letter from a Disconsolate Member of Parliament to his Unfortunate Son lately Convicted of Robbing the General Post Office", printed for J. Dodsley in Pall Mall. A satirical pamphlet in the form of a letter from an M.P to his son, designed to warn the public against the dangers of abusing the free franking system, published to coincide with the new Parliamentary Act containing many restrictions relating to free franking. Believed to be the only example in private hands.

Army. 1798 (May 21) Partly printed "weekly state of His Majestys 2nd Battn of the 4th Regt of Fencible Infantry commanded by the Earl of Breadalbane", posted from Kirkcaldy to the Earl of Breadalbane at Taymouth, headed "On. H.M.S", unusual.

1822 (Jan 29) Entire from London to an M.P in St. Ives, Cornwall, with red Free datestamp and boxed "Belvide Ple / S" handstamp, used at Belvidere Place, located within the Kings Bench Prison, fine.

1822 (Aug 1) Printed forms "To His Majesty's Postmaster-General" allowing Lady Louissa Lygon to sign free franks on behalf of her brother William, Earl Beauchamp. Two slightly differing forms, one completed by Lady Lygon, the other by the Earl, who can no longer sign due to bodily infirmity. A rare matched pair. (2)

1824 (June 8) Letter from the former Bishop of Chester to Francis Freeling informing him that he has become the Bishop of Bath & Wells and will alter his frank accordingly. Also 1823 and 1836 entire letters, the former franked "Geo. H. Chester", the latter "Geo. H. Bath & Wells". An interesting trio. (3).

1823-24 Letters from Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, Under Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, an 1823 letter stating he will be adding Horton to his name (necessitated by his father-in-law's will, allowing him to inherit), 1824 letter stating he will be shortening his signature to R.W Horton, and a later 1824 letter asking permission for his secretary to sign for him as "time employed in franking letters is inconvenient". An interesting group; Departmental Officials were allowed to alter their franking signature. (3).

House of Commons. 1826 (Apr 18) Lettersheet with printed heading "HOUSE OF COMMONS" and "FREE / F. FREELING" in the lower corner, partly printed address "To The Churchwardens and Overseers of Painswick", red Free datestamp, fine and scarce. Photo on Page 24. (Image1)

Parliamentary Proceedings. 1828 Printed wrapper "Par: Pro: / Colonel Davies, M.P, Elmsley Castle, Pershore, Worcestershire, FREE", turned and used as a wrapper to send Parliamentary Proceedings to Brechin, headed "Par.Pro (306)" and signed by Joseph Hume, one of the principal campaigners for postal reform in the 1830s. Very unusual.

1856 6d Die Proof in black, the stamp size proof on India paper mounted on thick white card, 39x43mm. Fine and rare, one of six proofs pulled, this example illustrated in the handbook by Hibbert. With R.P.S Certificate (1975). Photo included on Back Cover. (Image1)

1856 Imperf 6d blue, fine deep colour, margins on all sides, used with a superb strike of the very scarce Gothic "T" in circle seal type cancel (Proud K4), fine and exceptional. S.G. 1. Photo on Page 216. (Image1)

1864 Cover to England bearing 1856 imperf 6d blue pair (just touched at right, large margins on all other sides) each cancelled by two pen strikes, light oval St. Helena datestamp and red "LONDON / PAID" arrival c.d.s (Feb 23) alongside, backstamped at Lowestoft. Two pressed folds, otherwise fine, this first imperf 6d scarce on cover. With B.P.A Certificate (2007), which states "adhesives treated to reduce sulphurisation and corner crease (to left stamp) is genuine". Photo on Page 226. (Image1)

1861 6d Blue, clean cut perf 14 to 16, with De La Rue "SPECIMEN" overprint type D11, perfs trimmed at left, part original gum, very scarce. Photo on Page 216. (Image1)

1861 6d Blue, clean-cut perf 14 to 16, fine used with red cork cancel, scarce so fine. S.G. 2, £325. Photo on Page 216. (Image1)

1871 (June 29) Cover to Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope, bearing 1861 6d intermediate perf 14 to 16, tied by black oval of five bars cancel (Proud K15), red "ST HELENA" and black Cape Town (July 17) datestamps on the front with Port Elizabeth backstamp, charged 4d in the Cape. A fine and scarce use of this 1861 6d, with Holcombe Certificate (1993). Photo on Page 226. (Image1)

1861 6d Blue, rough perf 14 to 16, mint pair, original gum, exceptionally fine and very scarce. S.G. 2a, £850. Photo on Page 216. (Image1)

1870 (July 15) Cover to France franked 1863 rough perf 6d and 1868 2d yellow each cancelled by circular cork cancel (Proud K14), red "ST. HELENA" and "LONDON / PAID" (Aug 8) datestamps and "PD", Calais c.d.s, red manuscript "4" (postage due to G.B), fine and scarce, ex. "Justine" Collection. Photo on Page 226. (Image1)

1856 (Jan 7) Stampless cover to France, sent in the first week when stamps were available in St. Helena, but posted unpaid with "6d" charge (crossed out) and red oval "ST HELENA" datestamp, boxed "LIVERPOOL / SHIP" (Mar 8) backstamp and datestamps of London, Calais, Beauville, Montauban and Bordeaux, charged 15 decimes. Opened out, an early and scarce example of this first St. Helena datestamp. Photo on Page 222. (Image1)

1864 (Nov 1) Stampless entire letter to Cadiz "per Steamer Eastern Providence" prepaid 1/3, with fine oval "ST. HELENA" datestamp in blue, red "PD" and "LONDON / PAID" c.d.s (Nov 29) on the front, reverse with "LONDON" and Cadiz datestamps, local "2" delivery charge. Very fine and scarce. Photo on Page 224. (Image1)

1869 (Sep. 27) Entire letter from Wm Carrol, Royal Norwegian & Swedish Consul, addressed to the Committee for the Maritime Association in Tonsberg, Norway, endorsed "Via England pr steamer Niger". Handstamped with superb red "ST. HELENA" oval datestamp (Sep 27), reverse with superb cachet "KONGL. SVENSKA OCH NORRSKA CONSULATET PA ST. HELENA" containing the Swedish and Norwegians arms, with red "SHIP LETTER / LONDON" c.d.s (Nov. 8) and Christiana arrival datestamp (Dec 1), posted unpaid, various rates with "1/2" crossed out, "58" crossed out and replaced by "59" (Norwegian Skillings) and "70" (Danish Rbs.?). The letter concerns the Vice-Admiralty Court decision on the salvage of the "Glarus" and her cargo. Wm Carrol was also U.S Consul, and a forwarding agent of letters. Exceptional quality, the Consulate handstamp 13 years earlier than recorded by Mabbett. Photo on Page 224. (Image1)

1863 Imperf 6d blue with "FOUR PENCE" De La Rue surcharge essay, unused without gum, touched at left and base. Very scarce, 21 of these 1d or 4d surcharge essays in the British Library or Royal Collections, few remaining in private hands, with B.P.A Certificate (2007). Photo included on Front Cover. (Image1)

1863 1d Lake, type A surcharge, block of four, large margins, unused no gum, fine and scarce. S.G. 3, £600+. Photo on Page 208. (Image1)

1871 1d Lake surcharge type C in blue-black, fine used with cork cancel (Proud K22). S.G. 8a, £550. Photo on Page 217. (Image1)

1868 4d Carmine surcharge type B, variety surcharge double, used with cork cancel (Proud K12). Missing the upper right corner but still very rare, the variety occurring on just two rows (24 stamps), all recorded examples used and most defective. S.G. 14a, £6,000. Photo on Page 216. (Image1)