Sunday 28 March 2021

Ilchester Undated Circular (UDC) handstamp, 1837

 Here is an example of the Ilchester undated circular handstamp (UDC), used in December 1837.

The routing of this letter is interesting - it appears it went on the Exeter - London mail coach which after 1836 was routed via Ilchester and Wincanton to London.  This letter was then offloaded at Hindon (eight miles north of Shaftesbury, evidenced by the Hindon UDC) to go down to Shaftesbury.

This route would be about 35 miles, compared to the direct route of Ilchester - Shaftesbury which is about 25 miles.

The letter was only charged 6d (for 20-30 miles), rather than 7d which would have been the charge (for 30-50 miles) for the longer route that the Post Office chose to take.


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