Sunday, 15 April 2012

Bridgwater - Straight Line cancels

"Bridgwater" or Bridgewater ?  There was no middle "E" in the handstamps for "BRIDG(E)WATER", Somerset before 1755;  there was an "E" in the middle between 1755 and 1844, then there was no "E" from 1844 onwards.

The introduction below is taken from Pigot and Co.'s National Commercial Directory of Somerset, 1844.
 The first cancels for Bridgwater are recorded in the British County Catalogue as being in use  from 1705.  Unfortunately I don't have any examples (!), the earliest example I have being from 1744-1747.
 
 
 
The following are a couple of examples of post to Bridgwater, the second with a London Receiver's mark ("Partington").
 

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