Some Somerset "C"s: Cannington, Cheddar, Chilcompton, Chilton Polden, Churchill, Churchinford

As a bit of change, here are some Somerset postmarks from places that begin with "C", starting with a couple of examples of the Cannington undated circular handstamp (UDC), firstly in black in 1848 ...

... then in brown in 1851.

The postcard below from Cheddar to Cardiff in September 1948 was underfranked at 1d.  The Postcard Rate had been 2d since 1st May 1940.

A registered envelope sent in July 1940 gives an example of the Chilcompton cancel and registration etiquette.

The early Climax rubber cancels were in violet because the standard black ink caused the handstamps to deteriorate.  Here is a nice clear example of the Chilton Polden cancel from 1904 on a parcel post label.

Churchill's cancel is used here on a first day cover in April 1980.

And finally here is another registered envelope, this time giving examples of the Churchinford cancel and registration etiquette in April 1939.

Climax Rubber Handstamps - Bridgwater sub-offices (1)

Next some offices under Bridgwater.  

Bawdrip had four "BAWDRIP / BRIDGWATER" Type Ib handstamps issued, in 1891, 1904, prior to 1911 and in 1917-18 (the latter two handstamps do not appear in the Proof books so we only have a known period of usage from examples found).  The example below from April 1912, is of the 3rd handstamp which is known used between August 1911 and October 1917.

Chedzoy had three "CHEDZOY / BRIDGWATER" Type Ib handstamps isued, in 1890, prior to the end of 1911 and in 1915.  The example below, from October 1911, is of the 2nd handstamp and brings its earliest known usage forward from December 1911.  By July 1915 examples of the handstamp show major distortion which prompts its replacement in November 1915.

Chilton Polden had three "CHILTON POLDEN / BRIDGWATER" Type Ib handstamps issued in 1893, prior to July 1911 and in June 1919.  It also had a skeleton "CHILTON / POLDEN" Type 3 handstamp which is known used in November 1912.  The example below is from February 1913 and is of the 2nd Type Ib handstamp.

Combwich had two "COMBWICH / BRIDGWATER" Type Ib handstamps, issued in 1888 and prior to 1918 (not in the Proof books), and a "COMBWICH / BRIDGWATER" Type 3 skeleton handstamp known used in December 1911.  Below are three examples from 1907 in violet ink and 1915 and 1916 in black ink.