UDCs: Norton - Norton Fitzwarren and Norton-sub-Hamdon, Galhampton

A "NORTON" undated double-arc handstamp was issued to both Norton Fitzwarren under Taunton in September 1845 and to Norton-sub-Hamdon under Ilminster in May 1852.  If the strikes are clear one can distinguish between the two UDCs but otherwise one has to identify them based on which Post Town the cover comes under.

This first example is from Norton Fitzwarren, used in January 1852 in blue (currently the only recorded example of this udc in blue; it is also known in black).  The cover is postmarked in Taunton and is dated before the second UDC under Ilminster was issued.

The next two sheets show examples of the other Norton UDC from Norton-sub-Hamdon.  Both examples are postmarked at Ilminster. 

This second example is currently the latest recorded date of usage of this Norton udc.  The cover also has a poor "GALHAMPTON" udc being used as a receiving mark.  The envelope is addressed to South Barrow and Galhampton was the closest post office, being about 4 miles from South Barrow.

UDCs: Hambridge, Haselbury [Plucknett], Galhampton, Hatch [Beauchamp], Henlade

More UDCs, starting with a couple of examples of the Hambridge UDC, one in blue-grey and one in black (the only example in black currently recorded).

Here is an example of the Hazelbury UDC (now Haselbury Plucknett) used in 1856.  It also has a poor example of the Galhampton udc being used as a receiving mark - Galhampton is less than four miles from South Barrow where the card was addressed to.

The Hatch [Beauchamp] udc is known in yellow and red as well as in blue.  It is possible that the yellow and red examples were both originally red.

Finally here is an example of the Henlade udc from 1857.

Climax Rubber Handstamps - Bath Sub-Offices (1)

Climax Rubber handstamps were issued to a number of sub-offices of Bath, and to some Town sub-offices (though unfortunately I don't have any examples of these).

A Type Ib "BATHAMPTON / BATH" handstamp was issued in July 1891.  Bathampton also had a Type III skeleton handstamp known used in August 1912, and two later Type II "BATHAMPTON / BATH / SOMERSET" handstamps known used in 1927 and 1930.  A steel Circular Date Stamp was in use by July 1923.

Compton Pauncefoot had a Type Ib "COMPTON PAUNCEFOOT / BATH" handstamp issued in 1898, a Type II "COMPTON PAUNCEFOOT / NORTH CADBURY S.O. / SOMT." handstamp in 1904, and a second Type Ib "COMPTON PAUNCEFOOT / BATH" handstamp is known used from the end of 1911 to 1915.  The example below is of this last handstamp and is in violet.

Enborrow (Emborough) had at least three different Type Ib "EMBORROW / BATH" handstamps.  The first was issued in 1899, a second is known used from 1910 to 1914 and a third in 1918.  A steel Circular Date Stamp was issued in May 1921.  The first sheet below shows an example in violet from 1909, while the second sheets shows examples of a different handstamp in black from 1913.

Galhampton had a series of four handstamps issued, the first Type Ib "GALHAMPTON / BATH" in 1899.  In 1904 a Type Ic "GALHAMPTON S.O. / SOMT." was issued in 1904 and then two further Type Ib "GALHAMPTON / BATH" handstamps are known used in 1912 and from 1921 to 1922.  The example below from 1921 in black, is of the last type. 

Kilmington (Wiltshire) had one Type Ib "KILMINGTON / BATH" handstamp issued in 1898 which is known used between 1911 and 1924.  Below are two examples, from 1911 and from 1922.