Page 79 - The Sideways Experimenatal Duplex 1852-1858

BATH TYPE Va

Here are two futher strikes of this hand stamp.

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The above two covers are most interesting, both being posted to the same address in Bavaria but showing
different postage rates. The first is dated 3rd May 1858 and shows the code 'O' and is sent via France and paid 6d
the correct rate as from April 1858 for 1/4oz, prior to this date the rate was 8d for a 1/4oz. The second is dated
1
27th April 1858 and shows the code 'B' and is sent via Belguim and paid 8d the correct rate as from May 1856
for 1/2oz. As the second cover was sent via Belguim it could be that it was over 1/4oz in weight it would then
have been cheaper as the rate via France for 1/2oz. at the time was 1/-.
The code 'B' from the cover via Belguim is in fact the only recorded example of this code.