This is a series of maps of Somersetshire, starting with one by Thomas Kitchin in 1761 for the Duke of York.
Next one by John Cary in 1793 ...
... Ellis in 1819 with canals visible, ...
... Hall in 1831 with the start of the railway, ...
.... Moule in 1848 with the railway to Exeter very clearly shown, ....
and Archer in c.1850 showing a proliferation of railway lines, as well as the County Divisons.
I managed to acquire a number of early maps in a recent auction of some material from the Bath Postal Museum (sadly closed). The earliest maps I acquired are strip maps drawn by John Ogilby published in 1675 & 1698, this first being of a portion of the London to Bristol road, going from London to Marlborough.
I also acquired a hand-colourised Ogilby strip map of the road from Chippenham to Wells and Marlborough to Wells.
... and a plate from the 1939 reprint of the Ogilby maps showing London to Banbury.
In 1720 a half-scale version of John Ogilby's maps were published by Emanuel Bowen and John Owen - here is a strip map of the Chippenham to Wells road.
... while the second is Devizes through Philip's Norton.
The envelope below, sent from Taunton to Ashill, Ilminster in June 1974 has a bisected 2p stamp used to make up the 3p second class rate.
This postcard from October 1919 has a previously unknown Climax rubber cancel for "BASON BRIDGE / BRIDGWATER". The post office in Bason Bridge had closed in 1916 and was thought to re-open in 1920, but this postcard indicates that it opened somewhat earlier.
Bason Bridge was under Highbridge before it closed, as shown below ....
.... and later was under Highbridge again, as shown in this later envelope from 1939.
Below is a Red Cross prisoner of war postcard from Doberitz POW camp sent to London and redirected via Kent to Taunton, arriving in April 1917. The card is signed "Bdsm D. Hall", perhaps Bandsman Hall ? The card is requesting soap and toilet necessaries in the next Red Cross parcel.
Below is an undated advertising card for The George Inn and Hotel in Ilminster. Queen Victoria stayed there at the age of 7 months in 1819 (as Princess Victoria). She ascended the throne on 18th June 1837 on the death of her uncle, William IV.
The entire below contains a Flyer concerning the sale of 178 Ash Trees at Ollery Wood (about 2 miles north of Wiveliscombe) by Auction to be held on 29th November 1814.
The entire below was sent from Dulverton to Tiverton on 11th December 1839, with "to be delivered immediately" on the front. The Uniform Fourpenny Post started on 5th December 1839 and as this entire was not prepaid it was charged double. The letter had an enclosure but from 5th December postage was charged on weight not the number of sheets (Dulverton to Tiverton is just under 15 miles to would have been 4d before the Uniform Fourpenny Post but it would have been charged double because of the enclosure - so no difference in charges).
The sender was very keen that they got a reply, hence the admonition on the front "To be delivered immediately".
The wrapper below was from Maroim, Brazil to London and received a framed "SHIP LETTER / KINGSBRIDGE" handstamp in May 1846. Kingsbridge, or rather the local harbour at Salcombe, was not a major port, though schooners were based there as well as it being used by ships as required when there was a storm in the channel.
The address on the wrapper was originally just Messrs Huth, London and it received an "S H" handstamp as it was misdirected to Shoreditch.
The entire below dated August 1796 was sent from Salcombe (according to the address inside, close to Kingsbridge which was its post town) to Edinburgh with a horseshoe "KINGSBRIDGE" handstamp.
The letter below was sent in April 1834, with contents relating to the tithes of the parish of Churchstow, two miles north-west of Kingsbridge.
