Taunton part 1

Some Taunton marks, starting with some earlier ones; the first is an albino straight-line handstamp from 1738.  The straight line handstamp has a tall initial "T".

The next, from 1799, is a "horseshoe" handstamp with a dot between the "T" and "N".

Another straight-line handstamp, this time from 1800 and 1801.

And a final straight-line handstamp from 1821.  It is possible that this is a re-use of an earlier straight-line handstamp that is known used between 1789 and 1792 (unfortunately I don't yet have an example of the handstamp from that earlier period to compare with).

Somerton

Here is an example of the first handstamp for Somerton, a two-line "SOMER / TON" from 1779 (it is known from 1743 to 1782).

And next, here are two mileage marks from Somerton, firstly a "136 SOMER / TON" handstamp from 1787 ...

... and secondly two examples of the "SOMERTON / 135" handstamp from 1828 and 1834.

North and South Petherton

North and South Petherton in Somerset are not adjacent - South Petherton is some 18 miles south-west of North Petherton.

Here are two examples of the "NORTH-PETHERTON" circular undated handstamp, from 1798 and from 1846, being from the first and last years of the handstamp's known use.

Here is an example of the "SOUTH-PETHERTON" circular dated handstamp from 1839.

Minehead unboxed "No.2" and "No.3" receiving house handstamps

Although it is believed that the "No.2" receiving house in the Minehead Penny Post was Porlock, the first two of these examples have been written from "Linton Post Office" in 1835 and Lynmouth in 1837.

This third example has been written at Porlock in 1838.

Receiving House "No.3"  was a Holnicote, serving "Selworthy, Allerford and Luccombe".  This example, from 1839, was written at "Lynch" which is probably what is called East Lynch now.

Minehead

Here are a couple of Minehead handstamps, starting with a two-line handstamp from 1774 (the black rectangular handstamp to the left of the "TAUNTON" mark)

And next a straight-line "MINEHEAD" from 1800.

Langport

Here are two sheets showing the "LANGPORT / 140" mileage handstamp, the first with examples from 1814 and 1815.

The second sheet has a late example from 1846, and also has the Langport "721" numeric obliterator cancel.

Ilchester mileage

Just a couple of different handstamps from Ilchester, both mileage marks.  The first, SO 537, is boxed.  The two examples are from 1803 and 1804.

The second, SO 540, has lines above and below the mileage.  The two examples are from 1821 and 1832.

Ilminster

Here are four different handstamps from Ilminster, starting with two examples of the boxed mileage handstamp from 1816 and 1819.

Next are two examples of the circular "ILMINSTER" with mileage erased, from 1830 and 1832.

Then a nice clear "ILMINSTER" single arc handstamp in red from Christmas Eve 1840.

And finally from 1842 another red "ILMINSTER" single arc handstamp, an Ilminster Maltese Cross, and a boxed "No.3" handstamp - used at Hinton St. George.

Glastonbury

Here is an entire from Glastonbury to Eltham, Kent from 1779, with a two-line "GLASTON / BURY" handstamp and two circular "O'CLOCK" handstamps from the London Government Penny Post.

Next another, but different, two-line "GLASTON / BURY" handstamp from 1798.

... a couple of Glastonbury mileage marks from 1812 and 1814 ...

 ... and a boxed "No.2" receiving house handstamp from Street in the Glastonbury Penny Post.

This unboxed "No.5" receiving house handstamp is thought to be from Butleigh (but could be from Baltonsborough).