These letters graciously have been shared with the Victorian Web by Eunice and Ron Shanahan; they have been taken from their website. The letters give an insight into the daily lives and concerns of 'ordinary' people without whom history would not exist. The letters are a wonderful example of how much history may be gleaned from such sources.
Click on the thumbnails for larger images.
This is the first of two letters from this man and both addressed to Henry Ashworth, The Oaks, Bolton, Lancashire. This letter was sent postage unpaid; the second was postage paid and the postal markings are quite different. These markings are all in black.
Stepped — framed TP Old Brompton Two Penny post Receiving Office. This was in the Country lists of the Two Penny Post in 1828 and in 1837. This type of stamp was in use in this office from 1827-1838.
Handstamp charge of '2' representing the sum applied from 1801 to mail received or delivered within the area of the Two Penny Post. This sum was crossed through, as it had been incorporated into the total charge.
Unpaid octagonal transfer stamp from the Two Penny Post to the General Post, of the type in use until 1836.
Evening Duty circular datestamp applied at the Chief Office of the General post. Code letter O, date SE 15 1835 — the year curved along the bottom of the circle. This type of stamp was in use from May 1830 to September 1845.
Manuscript charge mark — a scrawl which could be anything, but should be 1/2d being 2d London Two Penny Post charge added to the 1/- (one shilling) the charge for London to Bolton — a distance of 243 miles, which was in force from 1812-1839.
Last modified 3 December 2002