To pay 2d

London Post — Unpaid stamps
Franked letters in the Twopenny Post
TO PAY 2d ONLY

As previously mentioned Twopenny Post charges were applied to ALL letters both sent from London and received for delivery in London. This explains the apparent anomaly of charge marks on 'FREE' mail. These two examples were both lodged at Twopenny Post Receiving houses, for delivery outside of London. However, FREE franking did not cover local postage charges such as the London Twopenny Post, and the stamp TO PAY 2d ONLY was applied at the General Post. the 2d charge would have had to be collected by the General Post on delivery of the letter, and accounted for in the annual balance between these two departments of the Post Office.

address panel
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click here for details These two examples are of the type in use from 1819 to 1829 — i.e. the words in 3 lines, the letters all the same size in an elongated octagonal frame. It was only applied to FREE franked letters.

T.P. Rate
Although letters which originated from the General post to be delivered to the country area of the Twopenny post were charged 2d (two pence) for delivery, there was not a stamp to indicate that this payment was due, but in 1829 a complaint was registered to The Times newspaper, and consequently this stamp was introduced in January 1830.

Click on the letter for more details. The postmark originally was a framed rectangle with the words T.P Rate and the figure 2. This letter is a good example of what actually happened. The cost of sending the letter through the General post was 9d, but Croydon was in the Country area of the Twopenny post so the P rate 2 stamp was applied and the cost was altered to 11d.

T.P. Rate — from 1836
Then in 1836 this different type was introduced. This was unframed and had a small letter d under the figure 2. This was in use until the whole system changed with the introduction of the uniform 4d post on December 5th 1839, but the original one was still in use as well.

click here for details This second letter also shows the way the costing of postage worked — and this one cost a lot more. The initial cost was 5/- (five shillings) plus the Twopenny post for delivery from Kington in Hereford,to Paddington, making a total of 5shillings and two pence. This enormous cost was to cover a letter weighing 6 times the basic rate being carried over a distance of between 120 and 170 miles. The contents of the letter gives the reason:-
'I enclose you the affidavits as to the Infancy of the Bankrupt James Waterson'

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London Post — Unpaid stamps Franked letters in the Twopenny Post TO PAY 2d ONLY
As previously mentioned Twopenny Post charges were applied to ALL letters both sent from London and received for delivery in London. This explains the apparent anomaly of charge marks on 'FREE' mail. These two examples were both lodged at Twopenny Post Receiving houses, for delivery outside of London. However, FREE franking did not cover local postage charges such as the London Twopenny Post, and the stamp TO PAY 2d ONLY was applied at the General Post. the 2d charge would have had to be collected by the General Post on delivery of the letter, and accounted for in the annual balance between these two departments of the Post Office.
click here for details. click here for details	These two examples are of the type in use from 1819 to 1829 — i.e. the words in 3 lines, the letters all the same size in an elongated octagonal frame. It was only applied to FREE franked letters.
T.P. Rate Although letters which originated from the General post to be delivered to the country area of the Twopenny post were charged 2d (two pence) for delivery, there was not a stamp to indicate that this payment was due, but in 1829 a complaint was registered to The Times newspaper, and consequently this stamp was introduced in January 1830.
Click on the letter for more details.	The postmark originally was a framed rectangle with the words T.P Rate and the figure 2. This letter is a good example of what actually happened. The cost of sending the letter through the General post was 9d, but Croydon was in the Country area of the Twopenny post so the P rate 2 stamp was applied and the cost was altered to 11d.
T.P. Rate — from 1836 Then in 1836 this different type was introduced. This was unframed and had a small letter d under the figure 2. This was in use until the whole system changed with the introduction of the uniform 4d post on December 5th 1839, but the original one was still in use as well.
click here for details	This second letter also shows the way the costing of postage worked — and this one cost a lot more. The initial cost was 5/- (five shillings) plus the Twopenny post for delivery from Kington in Hereford,to Paddington, making a total of 5shillings and two pence. This enormous cost was to cover a letter weighing 6 times the basic rate being carried over a distance of between 120 and 170 miles. The contents of the letter gives the reason:- 'I enclose you the affidavits as to the Infancy of the Bankrupt James Waterson'
Copyright 2002 By EARS Leisurewrite	unPaid stamps Return To our Intro Page Return To our Home Page