Great Britain used abroad : Malta : from Q. V. to Q. E. 2

Abstract

The use of Great Britain Queen Victoria adhesives and stationery from the Imperial Post Office in Malta over the period 1857 until the end of 1884 is well documented and numerous examples of stamps with the well known 'M' or A25 cancellations are reposing in most collections. After the 1st January 1885 the Malta Post Office was established and it issued a series of suitably inscribed adhesives and postal stationery which was all accepted by countries of the U. P. U. The use of British adhesives and stationery ceased, but, over the past few years in my usual 'magpie' habit I have formed a collection of Great Britain used either in or from Malta and have examples from all reigns, which illustrate how the rules governing the use of such adhesives could be applied to some items and accepted in payment of postage, while others have incurred the penalty by being 'taxed' or having postage due charges levied. [excerpt]