Page 3 - Postal History of Edinburgh & Leith

THE POSTAL HISTORY OF SCOTLAND
EDINBURGH

PETER WILLIAMSON'S POST

Peter Williamson, a Printer, operated an unofficial Penny Post service within Edinburgh and Leith.
The service started in 1773 and ran until July 1793 at which time it was taken over by the Post Office.

(''///// /..!/-J-;//dt;

ttr~/ ~ Y7~ /

1776 Local entire sent under Williamson's post and showing the unframed circular
"E.PENNY POST NOT PAID* "
type (ED458a) struck in black.

This handstamp type was used from 1774 through to 1790.
In the latter years it is always indistinct, presumably because only one device was available.

Williamson's Post had eighteen Receiving Houses, three of which were at Leith, towards the end of the service
this number was reduced to fourteen.

The service was taken over by the Post Office in 1793 and absorbed into the
Official Edinburgh and District Penny Post.

Williamson was granted an annual pension in compensation for his loss of business.