Roller (Revolver) Cancellations

ROLLER (REVOLVER) CANCELLATIONS

(showing office in numerals only)

In 1855 it appears that Kirkwood and Sons of Edinburgh developed a hand held device (probably invented by a Mr F Godby) which produced a a continuous revolving cancel and which was originally designed to cancel a block/strip of stamps more often than not for parcel or registration purposes (although ironically most of the surviving Edinburgh cancels are on low denomination stamps).

The revolving die rotated against a felt pad which had a built-in reservoir of ink. Click on IMAGE to see a photo of the Manchester Roller Machine

Whilst they are more commonly seen in Scotland (and particularly Edinburgh) it appears that some were sent for trials in London and various Provincial towns. However, it is likely that the London 1 & 2 (see below) were manufactured elsewhere - these were described by Dubus (see below) as being operated by a ‘wheel hand obliterating machine’.

Eleven offices used these Roller Cancellations and these are detailed below.

Apart from some of the Edinburgh marks, most are Scarce to Rare and particularly so if they are on dated copies although relatively few have come to light perhaps not surprisingly if they were used on parcels.

Feedback vis-a-vis dated copies is urgently required.

Click on the Town below:

1 ABERDEEN

1 LONDON

2 LONDON

75 LONDON

75 BIRMINGHAM

76 LONDON

131 EDINBURGH

134 BRISTOL

159 GLASGOW

163 GREENOCK