A set of six stamps, designed by H.L. Palmer, was issued to commemorate the centenary of the first postage stamp on May 6, 1940.
First Day Covers
Bradford to Zurich, Switzerland, May 6, 19403d. surface letter rate + 3d. registration fee |
James Chalmers : Inventor of the Adhesive Postage Stamp
Although Sir Rowland Hill is credited with the idea of the adhesive postage stamp, Scottish bookseller and printer James Chalmers is also given consideration for its invention. The first day cover below whose cachet features an image of James Chalmers was cancelled at his birthplace, Arbroath. Scotland.
Bournemnouth 27th Philatelic Congress
Bournemouth - 27th Philatelic Congress of Gt. Britain
May 6, 1940
|
Bournemouth : Centenary of Adhesive Postage Stamps Exhibition
The
Postal History Society sponsored the exhibition which raised funds for
The British Red Cross Society and The Order of St. John.
The Exhibition ran from May 6 to 11, 1940 |
Bournemouth Adhesive Stamp Centenary
Last Day of Exhibition May 11, 1940
(not a first day cover) |
The Exhibition was held in London from May 6 to 14, 1940, in aid of the Red Cross St. John Fund.
May 6, 1940 first day of issue |
London Red Cross Exhibition to British Expeditionary Force (France)
May 11, 1940 (not first day)
|
Received in France May 15, 1949
"Received at Chateau de la Rochere Mulsamme Le Mans"
15/5/40
|
Stamp Usages : Principal Services
I have reproduced relevant excerpts from The Post Office Guide August 1940 which summarize some of the Inland, Imperial and Foreign charges for principal services.
Letters
Inland
The inland letter rate was 2 1/2d. for the first two ounces and 1/2d. for each additional 2 oz.
Maidstone to Tonbridge, Kent, May 7, 1940 2 1/2d. inland letter rate |
Durham to Darlington, July 4, 1940 2 1/2d. inland letter rate |
Southport to Southall, May 20, 1940 2 1/2d. inland letter rate Shortpaid and taxed 2d., double the deficiency |
Imperial
Imperial rates applied to the British Empire generally, territories under British Mandate, Egypt, U.S.A., and the British Post Office in Morocco, except for H.M. Forces and Ships of War Abroad.
The letter rate was 2 1/2d. for the first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce.
West Ealing to Melbourne, May 6, 1940 2 1/2d. Imperial letter rate Undeliverable and returned to sender |
Epsom to Toronto, July 15, 1940 2 1/2d. Imperial letter rate |
Field Post Office 99 (11 Arm. Div. UK) to Toronto, July 1, 1940 2 1/2d. Imperial letter rate |
Ovington (Brighton) to Cairo, October 18, 1940
2 1/2d. Imperial letter rate
Cairo machine censorship |
London to Boston, June 18, 1940 2 1/2d. Imperial letter rate Orange press censor label |
Foreign (UPU)
The letter rate was 3d. for the first ounce and 1 1/2d. for each additional ounce
London to Budapest, Hungary, May 24, 1940 3d. foreign letter rate |
Edinburgh to Brive, France, June 15, 1940 3d. foreign letter rate "NO SERVICE RETURN TO SENDER" |
Postcards
Inland
The single postcard rate was 2d.
Torquay to Exeter, June 9, 1940 2d. inland post card rate |
Bracknell to London, July 4, 1940 2d. inland post card rate |
Imperial and Foreign
The single postcard rate was 2d.
Woking to Tillsonburg, Ont., Canada, May 13, 1940 2d. post card rate |
Printed Papers
Inland
The inland printed papers rate was 1d. for the first two ounces and 1/2d. for each additional 2 oz.
Woodbridbe to Otley, September 20, 1940 1d. printed papers rate Shortpaid 1/2d. and taxed 1d., double the deficiency |
Imperial and Foreign
Edinburgh to Pittsburgh, May 18, 1940 1/2d. printed papers rate |
Fernhurst to West Newton, Mass., August 23, 1940 1 1/2d. triple weight (up to 6 oz. )printed papers rate |
Registration
Inland
The inland registration fee for compensation up to £5 was 3d.
South Molton to Bristol, May 27, 1940 2 1/2d. letter rate + 3d. registration fee |
Imperial and Foreign
The registration fee was 3d.
Bradford to Zurich, Switzerland, May 6, 19403d. surface letter rate + 3d. registration fee |
Air Mail
South Africa
The air mail rate to South Africa was 1s. 3d.
London to Capetown, May 9, 1940 1s. 3d. air mail letter rate |
United States
The air mail rate to the United States was 1s. 3d.
Farnham to Concord, N.H., July 29, 1940 1s. 3d. air mail letter rate |