' From Hill to Bickerdike ' ... The Victorian-Era Experimental Postmarks of England ... 1857-1901
by Jerry H. Miller
This exhibit, created by Jerry Miller,
is currently available on this website as a PDF file.
Historical Background
Soon after the introduction of prepaid postage and use of the first postage stamp in England in 1840, the postal authorities recognized a need for clear and legible postmarks as well as an improvement in the handling of the ever-increasing volume of mail.
In 1853, Pearson Hill, son of Rowland Hill, became involved with those problems, developing and patenting the world’s first rapid postmarking machine in 1857.
Between 1857-1901, the 'London General Post Office' tested or evaluated no less than thirteen machines, most of which were of non-British manufacture.
This exhibit shows the chronological evolution of trial & early postmarks applied by the postmarking machines tested & evaluated by the 'London General Post Office' between 1857-1901 of Victorian-Era England.