Somerset & Bristol Postal History

A few more UDCs, starting with one from Porlock in September 1851.  The Porlock UDC was issued in September 1845 under Taunton, and the example below is currently the only recorded example.

The UDC below from Stogumber in December 1846 is rather faint - it has been labelled as yellow but I think it may have been red.  Determining colours is always tricky and rather depends on the lighting and on how the postmark has aged.

The West Quantoxhead UDC below is definitely in red and is dated April 1856.  The UDC was issued on September 1851 under Bridgwater.  One example in black is known in October 1851 and one example in red (this cover).

And finally an UDC from Wrantage used in January 1859, currently the latest recorded example.  The UDC was issued in June 1852 under Taunton.

Last post for Taunton - only a few more posts to go !

Timberscombe had three "TIMBERSCOMBE / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamps, the first issued in June 1886, the second known used from April 1905 and the third from April 1908.  The examples below are from September 1905, September 1906 and August 1907.



West Quantoxhead initially came under Bridgwater; a "WEST QUANTOXHEAD" Type Ia was issued in December 1886 followed by two "WEST QUANTOXHEAD / BRIDGWATER" Type Ib handstamps, known used from May 1906 and November 1911, with a "WEST- / QUANTOXHEAD" Type 3 skeleton known in February 1906.

A final "WEST QUANTOXHEAD / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamp is known used from August 1918 - the examples below are from September 1920, October 1922 and September 1923.

Wrantage had two "WRANTAGE / TAUNTON" Type Ib handstamps, the first issued in November 1902 and the second known from May 1911.  The example below is from August 1908.