The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 97 



for marking correspondence conveyed by the Edinburgh to Dum- 

 fries Mail Coach. 



On the 6th of May, 1840, the Id adhesive postage label 

 which had to be cut with scissors from a sheet or strip of the same 

 and the artistically drawn cover of Mulready also came into use, 

 and their introduction was immediately followed by the first 

 obliterating stamp (Fig. 22). The earlier impressions of this 

 mark were made in red ink, but this was changed to black on 

 account of the ease with which the red could be removed from 

 the stamps. These stamps were cut in wood, and cost Is each. 



"From want of a distinguishing mark," says Hendy in his 

 History, "it was found impossible to indicate the office where 

 letters defaced by them were posted, so that in February, 1841, 

 instructions were issued to all postmasters to date-stamp their 

 letters with the office where posted in front, and with the office of 

 delivery on the back." 



The State though making no charge for the transmission of 

 newspapers by post had, since 1711, levied a Stamp Duty upon 

 them. Fig. 23 represents the Government stamp of the " Dum- 

 fries Courier " for transmission through the post, while Fig. 24 

 shows a similar stamp for the " Dumfries Weekly Journal." The 

 paper had to be so folded that the Government stamp Avas seen, 

 otherwise it was marked with the stainp shown in Fig. 25 and sur- 

 charged. Fig. 26 tells that the newspaper had been examined at 

 the Dumfries office with a view to surcharge if it contained any 

 unauthorised enclosure. On the introduction of uniform penny 

 postage in 1840 another mark (Fig. 27) was adopted, and con- 

 tinued in use until about the year 1848, when a further change 

 was made to the type shown in Fig. 28. In 1850 another change 

 appears to have been made to the type shown in Fig. 29. 

 Specimens of this mark show that it remained in general use 

 throughout at least the years 1850 and 1851. 



In the following year (1852) the first circular Dumfries stamp 

 with an outer frame all round is met with (Fig. 30). We think it 

 probable that this would be an experimental stamp, as it does not 

 appear to have been kept in use for any length of time. Only a 

 single specimen has come under our notice. 



In the year 1853 another stamp (Fig. 31) was introduced. 

 In this instance an index letter has been added. We know from 

 other specimens of this marking which have come under our notice 



