Victoria stamps and postmarks of Bristol

Abstract

Using Bristol as a 'vehicle' I will attempt to demonstrate the growing Postal Phenomenon that took place soon after the introduction of the adhesive postage stamp in 1840. Why Bristol? Well I lived there as a schoolboy. Its location as a port in the west of England meant much mail was generated there and passed through it. Bristol's coat of arms is shown in Fig 1. Having spent a lifetime collecting stamps, I concluded that I had enough material to form a collection. Based on information derived from eminent authors such as Brummel, Cohen, Parmenter, Trail and Holland, Wilcocks and Sedgwick and Dr. Whitney. The material is arranged in approximate date order, identifying the main different types of postmarks. Examples of the designs are shown alongside the item, for clarity. [excerpt]