Page 61 - The Sideways Experimenatal Duplex 1852-1858

KIDDERMINSTER

TYPE II ORIGINAL (RED INK)
This was the only sideways duplex to be issued to this town and was issued on the 22"d March 1856 and is recorded usec
between 29th March 1856 (red ink) and 4th July 1857. It has a scarcity rating of Gin red and E in black.

Above you can see a very rare example of this hand stamp in a red ink which was used for only a few days in March.
It is dated the 29th March 1856 and the code is unclear but I think it is likely B. The Postmaster used this ink as I think
when the new duplex was issued he thought he should use the same ink that was used to identify the office of posting.
This he did until he was informed by the Post Office Surveyor that only black ink was to be used for cancelling the stamp
RE CUT
This was recut from the above hand stamp then issued on the 9th July 1857 and is recorded used between
7th October 1857 and 12th June 1858. It also has scarcity rating of E.

'.

To -tl!e .Directors of

The Hand-in-Hand Insurance Qfj-ice,

Londou .
. · . .
E.C .

Above you can see an example of this recut in the correct black ink and it is dated the 28th December 1857
and is showing an unclear code letter but again I think it is a code B.