Royal mail postmark
A fascinating topic!
A Royal Mail postmark is a cancellation mark applied to a postage stamp or envelope by the Royal Mail, the United Kingdom's postal service. The postmark is a way to indicate that the item has been processed and sent through the mail system.
Here are some interesting facts about Royal Mail postmarks:
- History: The use of postmarks dates back to the 17th century, when postal services were first established in the UK. The first postmarks were hand-stamped, and later, mechanized postmarks were introduced in the 19th century.
- Types of postmarks: There are several types of postmarks used by Royal Mail, including:
- Datestamps: These postmarks show the date and time of posting.
- Town marks: These postmarks show the name of the town or city where the item was posted.
- Special postmarks: These postmarks are used for special events, such as royal weddings, anniversaries, or commemorative occasions.
- Error postmarks: These postmarks are mistakes made by the post office, such as incorrect dates or misspelled town names.
- Collectibility: Royal Mail postmarks are highly collectible, especially rare or unusual ones. Some postmarks can increase the value of a stamp or envelope significantly.
- Philately: The study of postmarks is known as philately, and collectors of postmarks are called philatelists.
- Digital postmarks: In recent years, Royal Mail has introduced digital postmarks, which are electronic marks applied to digital mail items, such as emails and online documents.
Some notable Royal Mail postmarks include:
- The Penny Black: The first adhesive postage stamp, introduced in 1840, features a postmark with the words "Penny Post" and a crown.
- The Coronation Postmark: A special postmark used to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
- The Millennium Postmark: A special postmark used to mark the start of the new millennium in 2000.
Overall, Royal Mail postmarks are an important part of the UK's postal history and a fascinating aspect of philately.