A Topsy Turvy Year Long Ago.

This letter has had a hard life. It has been in water at some time, has been torn in a couple of places, and one portion has been torn away. It is surprising that it has survived for more than 200 years. The only reason we bought it was for the postmarked date stamps in red ink.



A close inspection shows that the first one was applied in Edinburgh on the day it was written, 23 FEB 1807, but it must have been too late for the delivery, as it has been postmarked again the next day 24 FEB 1807, but the year has been inserted upside down on the second stamp, so that it looks like 2081. For some reason there is a full stop after the year, and that is what makes the figure 7 look like a figure 2 when it was applied.

Just an oddity really, though I think unusual for those times.


For anyone interested in old English letters, we have more than 150 on our website, with images and transcriptions. Advert free, information only.
To go directly to the letters

http://www.earsathome.com/letters/P...ttersov.html

For home page with heaps of philatelic pages go to http://www.earsathome.com/

Hope you find some interest.
Regards.

Hi Penquins thank you for showing this letter to us. I really liked how you carefully went about explaining all of the postal markings and history shown on the letter. I learned something today. Thank you for this information

Hello Bobcat and welcome to the forum

Glad you enjoyed reading about the marks and hope you enjoy the forum.

Plenty of helpful people around.

Regards.