EXPERIMENTAL DUPLEX CANCELLATIONS OF SCOTLAND
Please note the following: a) all images are not necessarily to scale and b) all dates and codes shown * have been obtained from the relevant reference books. Those without the asterisk have been verified by myself.
It should be noted that whilst I might state that a mark is Common this is relative to the other Experimental marks; the fact is that they are ALL relatively scarce
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘1’ The bottom part of the third ‘E’ appears damaged on the Proof and this is seen on all 1a & most 1b strikes (but see comments under 1b below) Known Codes: A*, C, D*, E, F*, G* & H* Proofed: 1st January 1856 EKD: 7th January 1856* LKD: 3rd March 1856 Scarcity: Scarce in view of short life before the ‘E’ damage (see Type 1b below). I have seen only three examples
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ABERDEEN TYPE 1b
Characteristics: As Type 1a but the top part of the first ‘E’ was also damaged in March 1856. Rather surprisingly I have seen examples dated August 1856, July & December 1857 which appear to have the third ‘E’ complete (see Images) Known Codes: A*, D, E, F, G & H* EKD: 4th April 1856 LKD: 3rd March 1859 Scarcity: Relatively Common although I have seen few copies during 1856
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ABERDEEN TYPE 1c
Characteristics: As Type 1a but the inner arc is missing. Supposedly this was Type 1b which had both ‘E’s corrected in March 1860 but for some reason the arc was eliminated. It has not been recorded in use. Known Codes: ?? Proofed: 10th March 1860 EKD: ?? LKD: ?? Scarcity: Not recorded in use
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ABERDEEN TYPE 2
Characteristics: This was proofed at the same time as Type 1a but the letters are slightly larger, particularly the letters ‘D’ and ‘E’. The clincher is the fact that the left vertical stroke of ‘N’ points to bar 4 rather than bar 3 as is the case in Type 1a/b/c. The EKD currently points to this mark being held in reserve and perhaps used after Type 1b had been withdrawn? Known Codes: C, D, F & H Proofed: 1st January 1856 EKD: 25th March 1859 LKD: 22nd December 1860* Scarcity: Relatively scarce
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ABERDEEN TYPE 3
Characteristics: Six short bars each side of ‘1’ Known Codes: A, C, D, E, F & H Proofed: 28th March 1860 EKD: 9th January 1861 LKD: 24th December 1862 Scarcity: Relatively Common and presumably was held in reserve until Type 2 had been phased out.
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ABERDEEN TYPE 4
Characteristics: As Type 3 but only five short lines each side of ‘1’. In view of the LKD of Type 3 it is likely that this is a recut of that type despite the Proof book indicating it is a ‘new’ type. Known Codes: D, E, F, G* & H Proofed: 25th December 1862 EKD: 17th January 1863 LKD: 1st April 1865 Scarcity: Relatively Common
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘108’. Top part of the ‘F’ is missing/damaged during the life of this mark although this damage is NOT shown on the proof impression. It would be great to see an undamaged ‘F’. Known Codes: A,B,C and none. Seen in BLUE on 9th September 1857 (see Image) Proofed: 1st January 1856 EKD: 3rd January 1856 LKD: 12th October 1857* Scarcity: Scarce but in blue Very Rare
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.During its 2 ½ year life this mark suffered quite a bit of damage and I have therefore decided to detail this damage (and therefore the various Types) on a separate page.
Click HERE to view the information
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘131’. Three variations (within the date circle) were proofed between August and December 1856 Known Codes: Left A,B, H Right M, X, * EKD: 26th January 1856 LKD: 31st March 1856 Scarcity: Extremely Rare with probably only a handful of dated copies known -
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EDINBURGH TYPE 2
Characteristics: As per the image Known Codes: Top A, E, Bottom W, Z Proofed: 20th May 1856 EKD: 30th May 1856 LKD: 2nd June 1856 Scarcity: Extremely Rare; probably less than a dozen dated copies known -
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Characteristics: As Type 2 but with the dater portion breaking into the bars below ‘131’. There is a similar design proofed on the same day (although the year says 1853!) with the circle slightly lower and cutting the bottom line only. The example shown here is described as ‘screw’ whereas the other is ‘hinged’. Known Codes: ?? Proofed: 10th June 1856 EKD: ??? LKD: ?? Scarcity: I have not seen an example
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EDINBURGH TYPE 3b
Characteristics: Very similar to Type 3a but year in two figures only. Known Codes: W & H to the left of the year, E at the top and E, H, N, X and nothing at bottom Proofed: 6th March 1857 EKD: 12th March 1857 LKD: 18th March 1857 Scarcity: Extremely Rare; I have seen only five dated examples of which three have been on piece in blue. I have only seen one on cover. Suggest value £1,000+
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EDINBURGH TYPE 3c
Characteristics: As Type 3b but no code (Is this a separate Type albeit it is shown in Proof Books?) Known Codes: None Proofed: 23rd October 1857 EKD: ?? LKD: ?? Scarcity: Extremely Rare; I have not seen any copies
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘159’. Known Codes: E & H (the latter being on the left or right) Proofed: No impression in the proof books EKD: 22nd October 1855 LKD: 4th February 1856* Scarcity: Rare; probably no more than a few dozen dated copies exist.
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GLASGOW (‘MADELEINE SMITH’ TYPE)
Since the putting together of this web page, important information has come to light relative to the possible different types of this mark.
Click HERE to view the information
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Characteristics: There are four bars to the left of ‘163’ and three to the right. However, the Proof Book shows four bars at the right and so the top (small) bar must have broken during the first few months. In addition the code is at the bottom of the arc whereas in Type 2 it is at the top. Known Codes: A*, B*, C*, D & E Proofed: 2nd January 1856 EKD: 7th January 1856* LKD: 8th December 1856*
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GREENOCK TYPE 2
Characteristics: There are six bars to the left of ‘163’ and five to the right (albeit the third right bar is more of a dot than a bar and in later impressions appears missing). In addition both arcs are damaged on the left below the ‘1’ in the year. The code is at the top of the dater. Known Codes: A, B, C, D, E, F and blank Proofed: 21st December 1856 EKD: 13th April 1857* LKD: 19th November 1859* Scarcity: Uncommon
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘183’ Damage occurred to the tops of the first letter ‘E’ and the ‘R’ (the latter existing in the Proof Book impression) during the first few months and this is well represented in the Image below. The earliest date I have seen with the damage is 16th July 1856 and I would very much like to see earlier examples to narrow down the date of damage. Also shown on the Proof and all examples is a break to the right of the second bar. Known Codes: A, B & C Proofed: 4th March 1856 EKD: 24th April 1856* LKD:18th December 1856 It has been alleged that this mark has been seen post 1862 but that does not make sense if we assume that Types 1b and 1c are subsequent recuts. Scarcity: Rare
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INVERNESS TYPE 1b
Characteristics: This is Type 1a but the short bars on the right were removed on 22nd December 1856 and the letters ‘E’ and ‘R’ were repaired Known Codes: A, B, C & D Proofed: 22nd December 1856 EKD: 16th January 1857* LKD: 23rd December 1858 Scarcity: Relatively Scarce
Characteristics: This is a recut of Type 1b but the only noticeable difference is
that the Code slot has been cut higher and as such the vertical stroke of the letter
‘R’ is truncated. However identification can also be made via the dates. There was
a further entry in the Proof Books of 1st August 1866 but this seems to refer only
to the supply of a new Year and Codes. There were two distinct periods of use - Known Codes: B, D, E Proofed: 1st December 1862 and 1st August 1866 First Period EKD: 11th January 1864 LKD: 1st February 1864 Second Period: EKD: 9th August 1866 LKD: 9th August 1866 Scarcity: Both periods are very Scarce particularly the second period where I have only seen one example
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INVERNESS TYPE 2
Characteristics: As Type 1a but lettering spaced differently e.g. See the letter ‘I’ which is more horizontal than in Type 1a.. Also if the top bar is extended left it rests on the top of ‘S’ whereas in Type 1a it is in the middle of ‘E’. Known Codes: ?? Proofed: 27th June 1856 EKD: ?? LKD: ?? Scarcity: I have not seen an example; presumably held in reserve
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘203’ Known Codes: C, D and 3 on its back Proofed: 8th January 1856 EKD: 9th January 1856 LKD: 6th August 1857 Scarcity: Rare. This mark seems to have been used between January - In August 1861 a supposed hybrid of the then normal dater combined with this canceller
(the lowest left small bar can just be seen) appeared -
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Characteristics: As per the image with no day appearing Known Codes: None Proofed: June 1855 EKD: 18th July 1855* LKD: 22nd October 1855 Scarcity: Rare
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.LEITH TYPE 1b
Characteristics: This is Type 1a modified to permit a code to be inserted in the middle of the three bars and also now to include the day. Known Codes: A*, E, F*, M*, N, X and + Proofed: 24th October 1855 EKD: 6th November 1855 LKD: 19th November 1856* Scarcity: Scarce
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LEITH TYPE 2a
Characteristics: Kirkwood supplied the Post Office initially with a stamp that included the word PAID. This was returned that day and a replacement was immediately provided with PAID being removed. (see Characteristics of Type 2b for differences with this Type) Known Codes: E Proofed: 3rd May 1856. EKD: 19th May 1856 LKD: 19th May 1856 Scarcity: Rare; I have only seen one dated example.
Characteristics: It seems likely that Type 2a was not considered satisfactory and a new stamp was provided on 22nd May 1856 (whether this is a recut or a new stamp is not known but it is noticeable that Type 2a has not been seen post this date). The differences are minor but are: 1. The balls on the figure ‘2’ are much more pronounced on this Type 2b 2. The height of the obliterating part of the stamp is greater than Type 2a - Known Codes: A, E, F*, M*, N, X and * Proofed: 22nd May 1856 EKD: 9th June 1856 LKD: 2nd December 1857* Scarcity: Relatively Scarce. I have also seen part cancellations on stamp in violet and also in blue.
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘277’. Note break in top bar which does not show up on the proof and therefore, from examples I have seen, occurred prior to June 1856. I have not seen an example without the break. Known Codes: A, B, C, D, E, - Proofed: 8th April 1856 EKD: 16th April 1856* LKD: 8th June 1858 Scarcity: Relatively Scarce. Green seen which is Rare
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Characteristics: This is Type 1 with the inner circle taken out (break in top bar remains). Known Codes: D, Reversed C and Blank Proofed: 9th May 1860 EKD: 24th December 1860 LKD: 10th June 1861 Scarcity: I have seen only three dated examples. Rare
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘280’ Known Codes: A*, B, C, D, E, F Proofed: 4th April 1856. Recut on 19th May 1858 and 29th December 1859 but no noticeable differences Original EKD: 22nd May 1856* LKD: 1st May 1858 First Recut EKD: 31st May 1858 LKD: 5th November 1859 Second Recut EKD: 9th Mar 1860 LKD: 14th February 1862*
Scarcity: I would suggest that examples of the two recuts are relatively Scarce but I need to see more examples in the later years.
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Characteristics: Four short bars each side of ‘308’.The bar below ‘3 is always broken. It has been recorded previously that the ‘1’ in the year is always truncated but this is not the case in some 1856 examples that I have seen (see Image for both types). Further information indicates that this break occurred between March and November 1856 Known Codes: A, B, & C Proofed: 5th January 1856 EKD: 21st February 1856 LKD: 8th March 1859* Scarcity: Scarce
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