British Postmark identification

[Raymondwatkins]

I have just purchased a bundle of GB FDCs, and included with the bundle were a number of cut-out GB postmarks. Some of these postmarks were referenced on the lines of "A & H type 1169". Can anyone tell me what these refer to ? Probably a catalogue of GB postmarks, but a search on the internet did not come up with anything. Many thanks. Ray

[cambrensis]

I have just purchased a bundle of GB FDCs, and included with the bundle were a number of cut-out GB postmarks. Some of these postmarks were referenced on the lines of "A & H type 1169". Can anyone tell me what these refer to ? Probably a catalogue of GB postmarks, but a search on the internet did not come up with anything. Many thanks. Ray

I am not a philatelist (at least not for the last 60 or so years!). However, I came up with this:

http://gb-precancels.org/

Alcock & Holland (A & H?) are referenced several times.

Searching the names reveals they published work on postmarks.Might be worth a look but as I said...I am not a philatelist. Good luck...

[deanosaur1972]

I think the whole postmark area puzzles a good deal of stamp sellers and the majority postcard sellers (I include myself in that )

Cambrensis is right - the A & H reference followed by a number will correspond to a postmark detailed in the book/publication.

Ray can you scan an image or two of what you have? would be interested to have a look, not that I will be able to provide any help unless googling the info.


Last year I listed a whole batch of 70's and 80's postcards with specialist type postmarks on the back, I put the details of the postmarks in the title... 20 sold within the first 10 minutes.. followed by another 20 odd within a couple of days. In total I had around 120 and the whole lot has now been sold on eBid. Looking around it does seem to be an area where buyers have all the knowledge, if a seller can meet that knowledge and list accordingly then it could be extremely profitable.

I should really purchase the Gibbons 2013 postmark catalogue and teach myself something.

[Raymondwatkins]

I am not a philatelist (at least not for the last 60 or so years!). However, I came up with this:

http://gb-precancels.org/

Alcock & Holland (A & H?) are referenced several times.

Searching the names reveals they published work on postmarks.Might be worth a look but as I said...I am not a philatelist. Good luck...

Thanks for this. I have not yet checked the link you provided (just got up!) but it looks as if it has the answer.

[Raymondwatkins]

I think the whole postmark area puzzles a good deal of stamp sellers and the majority postcard sellers (I include myself in that )

Cambrensis is right - the A & H reference followed by a number will correspond to a postmark detailed in the book/publication.

Ray can you scan an image or two of what you have? would be interested to have a look, not that I will be able to provide any help unless googling the info.


Last year I listed a whole batch of 70's and 80's postcards with specialist type postmarks on the back, I put the details of the postmarks in the title... 20 sold within the first 10 minutes.. followed by another 20 odd within a couple of days. In total I had around 120 and the whole lot has now been sold on eBid. Looking around it does seem to be an area where buyers have all the knowledge, if a seller can meet that knowledge and list accordingly then it could be extremely profitable.

I should really purchase the Gibbons 2013 postmark catalogue and teach myself something.

Thank you for this. I will scan a couple of items a bit later (just got up!). I also borrowed the SG 2013 Postmark catalogue from the library and it is very detailed but, as expected, does not provide any correlation to the A&H references. The whole subject looks very complicated and the detail is staggering - i suspect if you purchase the SG2013 you will start yourself on a new area of collecting! In regard to the postmarks I have, it is unfortunate that the original collector cut them off of the envelope - according to the SG2013 collecting postmarks normally seeks the entire.

Thanks again

Ray

[Raymondwatkins]

Thank you for this. I will scan a couple of items a bit later (just got up!). I also borrowed the SG 2013 Postmark catalogue from the library and it is very detailed but, as expected, does not provide any correlation to the A&H references. The whole subject looks very complicated and the detail is staggering - i suspect if you purchase the SG2013 you will start yourself on a new area of collecting! In regard to the postmarks I have, it is unfortunate that the original collector cut them off of the envelope - according to the SG2013 collecting postmarks normally seeks the entire.

Thanks again

Ray

Further to the earlier helpful replies from canbrensis and deanosaur1972, the subject of postmarks has now got my attention! A search identified (at least) two books by Alcock and Holland, and I have found out both are held in the library of the British Postal Museum and Archive at Freeling House in London. I hope to call in there later in the week to see what it is all about.

As requested by deanosaur I have attached examples of the postmarks I have, with "A&H" references shown. I will add to this reply after I have visited BPMA

thanks again to both of you

Ray

[deanosaur1972]

Further to the earlier helpful replies from canbrensis and deanosaur1972, the subject of postmarks has now got my attention! A search identified (at least) two books by Alcock and Holland, and I have found out both are held in the library of the British Postal Museum and Archive at Freeling House in London. I hope to call in there later in the week to see what it is all about.

As requested by deanosaur I have attached examples of the postmarks I have, with "A&H" references shown. I will add to this reply after I have visited BPMA

thanks again to both of you

Ray

Thanks for the pics Ray. The inverted L in the London postmark looks like a good one.

Will be interesting to see what your research uncovers - a couple of those squared circle postmarks look fairly standard... but are they? Is there an oddity within the detail that the book points out.

[somersethedge]

Dean is right with what he says.....

Postmarks are a minefield and it is a brave person who gets into collecting them. However I am finding more and more people are getting into Slogan Cancelations

[Raymondwatkins]

thank you

[Raymondwatkins]

watch this space!