Climax Rubber Handstamps - Taunton sub-offices (1)

Alcombe had a series of Climax rubber handstamps, starting with an "ALCOMBE / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamp issued in July 1898.  This was followed by an "ALCOMBE / TAUNTON" Type 3 skeleton known used in August 1908.

Alcombe then came under Dunster within the Taunton postal area and used an "ALCOMBE / DUNSTER / SOMERSET" Type 2 handstamp known in June 1911, with an "ALCOMBE / DUNSTER / SOMERSET" Type 3 skeleton known in July 1911.

A further "ALCOMBE / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamp is known used from October 1911 with an "ALCOMBE / TAUNTON" Type 3 skeleton known in August 1913.  The examples below, from August and September 1911, brings the date of this last Type Ib handstamp a little earlier.  Alcombe had transferred to Taunton from Dunster on 1st July 1911 so this may be the approximate date that the handstamp was issued.

Barton St David was one of the first sub-offices to receive a Climax rubber handstamp with a "BARTON / ST. DAVID" Type Ia handstamp issued in June 1885.  This was followed by a "BARTON-ST.-DAVID / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamp known used in October 1892.

The sub-office then moved to under Somerton with two different "BARTON ST. DAVID / SOMERTON S.O. / SOMERSET" handstamps known used in May 1906 and December 1910.

The office then moved back under Taunton with a series of three different "BARTON ST. DAVID / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamps, known used in September 1911, December 1913 and May 1917, with a final "BARTON-ST.-DAVID / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamp known used from May 1918.  The example below, dated September 1919 is of this last type, with the hyphens back in the name.

Charlton Adam had an initial "CHARLTON ADAM / SOMERTON, SOM" Type Ic handstamp issued in November 1899 before moving under Taunton.  The first Taunton handstamp known is a "CHARLTON ADAM / TAUNTON" Type 3 skeleton in September 1908.  This was followed by two "CHARLTON ADAM / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamps, known used in October 1911 and August 1919, with a "CHARLTON / ADAM / TAUNTON" Type 3 skeleton handstamp known ins November 1914.  The example below from August 1919 is of the last Type Ib handstamp, being just over a week earlier than the previously known example.

Curry Mallet had an initial "CURRY MALLETT / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamp issued in January 1891 (note spelling) and then a correctly spelled "CURRY MALLET / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamp was in use, possibly by March 1904.  The example below is from September 1913.