Inland Revenue.
8th October, 1855.
THE Board of Inland Revenue have, in conformity with the provisions of the 4th section of the 18th and 19th Vict., c. 78, provided the necessary apparatus for impressing with Postage Stamps paper sent in by the Public for the covers or envelopes of letters. Notice is therefore given, that the Board are now prepared to receive paper to be delivered at the Head Office, Somerset House, London, for the purpose of being impressed with Stamps for denoting the several rates of postage, subject to the following Regulations, namely: -
When the amount of the Stamps required by any person shall not exceed £10, a fee of One Shilling will be charged in addition to the duty if paper of one size only be sent in, and if more than one size be sent in, then a fee of One Shilling for each size.
On the Warrants hereafter mentioned no fee will be payable, but the sizes of paper will be restricted as follow-
When the amount exceeds £10 and is under £20, paper of one size only will be received.
If the amount exceeds £20 and is under £30, two sizes of paper only will be received.
£30 and under £40, three sizes of paper.
£40 and under £50, four sizes of paper, and not more than four sizes of paper will be allowed to be included in any one Warrant of however high an amount.
No folded envelopes can be stamped, and therefore paper, whether intended for envelopes or for letters, must be sent in unfolded; and every distinct size and form of envelope or paper must be marked so as to indicate the place on which the Stamp is to be impressed, in order that it may appear in the proper position, according to the rules of the Post Office, when the envelope or letter is folded and made up.
No coloured paper can be received for Stamping, nor any paper of such thinness as not to bear the impression of the dies.
Envelopes provided by this Office with the proper Stamps thereon will be substituted for any of those sent in which may be spoiled in the operation of Stamping.
It should be borne in mind that licensed Vendors only are authorized to sell Postage Stamps impressed as above-mentioned, or any other.
By Order of the Board,
THOMAS KEOGH
Secretary.
A Stamped to Order newspaper wrapper from W H Smith & Son, c1880. This example has an advertising ring around the indicium. Advertising rings surrounding the embossed stamp were allowed from 1857 till 1888. These were embossed in one operation, as the above example, by Somerset House or sometimes added privately afterwards. |
