London Post — Paid Postmarks Most early letters were unpaid, so naturally, there are fewer examples of the PAID markings readily available.
The earliest postmark we have for a PAID letter is this one of 1778 To Mrs Cockburn in Duns by Berwick upon Tweed from her son in London. This type was in use from 1766 to 1791. There is also a very faint Receivers Mark in the top left corner of DW in a circle, and this was the mark of David Wishart who was at the Piccadilly General Post Receiving House from 1752 to 1780. Note also, that in the bottom left corner the writer has inscribed Post Payd 6d which was the rate to Edinburgh at that time. However it looks as though there has been another charge mark of 1/4 scribbled across the front of the letter, which is not a relevant rate.
click here for details	The writing is quite difficult to decipher, being rather individual and fancy, and the spelling is quite often phonetic. My Dear Mother, I am Rely sorrod I hear so seldom from good Friends in Duns. They ought to forgive their London Friends for not writing the Spring Quarter for we are so Hard Worked that we have hardly time to Refresh ourselves, Perticklerley to you I am Sorrod I have not Wrot oftener but Dayley Expecting to hear from my Brother mead me Delay from wrtg to you in Deed I am Hartley sorrod to think the Best of Friends should Drop a Corespondence to a Sister & Brother that so much wishes to suport the only Blesing that Providence has left — that of Communicating the Sincer Wishes of the Love, Friendship, Goodwill & Affection....
Copyright 2002 E. J. Shanahan By EARS Leisurewrite	Paid Marks part 2. Introduction Return to our Home Page