Wednesday 11 January 2023

Dunster 1806 and 1831 - both costing 7d

Some entires from Dunster costing 7d to post, the first from June 1806 is from Dunster to Chard when 7d was the postal rate for 50-80 miles.  It looks as if the route would have been Dunster - Taunton - Somerton - Yeovil - Chard, a route of about 70 miles (rather than the more direct Dunster - Taunton - Ilminster- Chard which would have only been around 40 miles).  The letter has a smaller boxed mileage mark rather than the larger lined one known from 1810.

The second set are from Dunster to near Wiveliscombe, the first one dated to December 1831.  Both have framed "Dunster / Penny Post" handstamps (known 1830-1831) with manuscript "7" for postage.  Dunster to Wiveliscombe via Taunton is around 33 miles and would have been 7d in the General Post between 1813 and December 1839 for 30-50 miles.  This does not leave anything for a 'Penny Post' charge.  Maybe they just used the first handstamp that came to hand ?



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