On 21st September 1878 a series of numeral handstamps of the 3VOS type was supplied as follows:
999 Paulton Recorded only as 'philatelic use'.
001 Pensford Few examples known 1883 - 1886.
006 Temple Cloud Uncommon. Recorded 1879 to 1921 (philatelic).
008 Clutton One example known from 1890.
009 Farringdon Gurney Not recorded used.
011 Hallatrow Very few recorded from 1879.
At this time these numbers were vacancies in the numerical list for England and Wales offices.
Why did these particular small offices need to cancel their mail ? They were all on the route of the Bristol and North Somerset Railway line from Bristol to Radstock, opened in 1873. The handstamps were probably issued in anticipation of these offices becoming Railway Sub-Offices (R.S.O.s). When this did not happen, the cancellation of mail ceased, if it had ever started. The few examples recorded are possibly for abnormal use.
Here are examples from Pensford and Hallatrow.
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