Page 13 - The Sideways Experimenatal Duplex 1852-1858

READING
TYPE ib

This hand stamp was issued on 31st May 1854 the same date as the other Type Ia hand stamps.
It has an oval date stamp and the numeral faces the date stamp. Unique to this town codes.A to E and no code have
been recorded. Collectors often refer to this stamp as the Reading biscuit.

.------~-. -.... .::.:::>

Two examples are shown above showing different cod.es. The first is dated 7th April 1855 code C and is seen
cancelling a 1/- embossed postage stamp paying the postage to the U.S.A. It was carried on the Cunard ship
Africa which left Liverpool 14th April then arrived in Boston on 26th April. The second is on an envelope to
Bakewell and is dated 18th October 1855 and shows the code D.