We've been sent a scan of a Union Flag Faststamp used on a cover from Devon to Australia (thanks Neil).
But this is clearly a 'wrong-un', as the weight is Worldwide 30g!
On Postagelabels.uk Brian confirms that this is a forgery, presumably on genuine stock which has either been dispensed from the machine in error or from a reel-end found in a bin.
But even if the letter weighed 20-30g, why forge a 30g label when no such genuine label - or postage rate - exists?
We'll be interested to know of any other similar finds!
Bristol Returned Letter Branch
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Bristol Returned Letter Branch handled letters that need returning to the
sender in the south-west. The covers below are from 1887 and 1901, with
"R.L.B...
Its interesting to note that the code at the bottom of the stamp reads 000000. I have seen such stamps advertised on Ebay recently, although not with the wrong rate value.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. The overprint does look a bit patchy and less crisp than the usual quality produced by the P&G thermal printing. So it makes me think someones been busy on their desktop inkjet printer!
ReplyDeleteThe 000000 stamps on birds 3 on ebay are from Archway and are genuine - you can tell this from the font setting/type - this error happened at least in one other office - Trafalgar Square. Clear from the envelope on this that the extra cancel is a post and go office handstamp - perhaps the addressee of this item can shed light on its origin?
ReplyDeleteI have several Bird 3 collector strips with receipt from 14 Junction Road, London. Dated 24/09/2012
DeleteBranch 000000 Kiosk ID: 00 Session 27628
Correction the other postmark looks like a cashier clerk cancel...BIDEFORD?
ReplyDeleteBRADFORD-ON-AVON, surely?
ReplyDeleteCertainly looks like it, but the large postmark is Devon.
Delete