Page 22 - The Sideways Experimenatal Duplex 1852-1858

TYPE II

With 138 different offices using this type of sideways duplex they were used on
several different types of postage stamps and various types of envelopes and entires.
Here I show this type on a mulready letter sheet. I have recorded mostly letter codes
with the occasional numeral being used. There are however a few offices that used a
numeral as well as a letter in their codes these were used for hand stamp identification.

OXFORD

Many of the sideways duplexes were recut though this town received only the one which
remained in use for three years between 1855 to 1858. Rarity rating is B.

This strike is dated 31st May 1856 and it has the code 'E'. The mulready was first issued
for use in 1840 and proved to be unpopular with the public at the time and was soon
replaced with the ld pink envelope. Therefore to be used this late is rare especially being
used with the sideways duplex. The words Postage Paid are written in the bottom left hand
comer perhaps to remind the Post Office of the fact that the postage had been paid, as
rnulreadies had not been used for many years.