, but this is more pronounced
in the Six Pence than in the One Shilling, as the former value is met
with on what can only be described as thin card.

Both values, as well as the One Penny and Six Pence of Issue 7, and other
stamps current during the later years the stamps of Issue 11 were in use,
are not uncommonly found with a curious obliteration of an upright oval,
pointed at the top and bottom, and divided across the centre by a double
line. The upper part contains the letters “G.B.,” and the lower “40 c.”
The cancellation made its appearance upon these three stamps about the
end of 1878, or early in 1879, and was first thought to be a surcharge.
The credit of its explanation is due to the editor of the _Foreign Stamp
Collectors’ Journal_, who made enquiries at the Post-office, and who
stated in the numbers of that journal for December, 1879, and July,
1880, that “in addition to the ordinary mail steamers from the West
Indies, letters are conveyed to England by the French Packets running
intermediately. These letters are stamped as above; the G.B. signifying
‘Grande Bretagne,’ and the 40 C., the amount payable to the French
Post-office for their services.” “The stamp ceased to be employed for its
original purpose some time ago, but is now used instead of the ordinary
cancellation stamp, which is worn out.” Its use as an obliterating stamp
must have been continued at least up to some time in 1882, as we have
frequently seen it on the Halfpenny orange of Issue 18, a stamp which was
not issued until December, 1881.


Issue 12.

_July 1877._

  4d., dark deep blue.

A consignment of 200 sheets—6,000 stamps—of the Four Pence value,
printed in very dark deep blue, was sent out to St. Vincent on May
29th, 1877. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, we have no
reason to doubt the stamp was immediately put in issue, and that it
was first used in July of the same year, but had it not been for the
record in the books of the printers, we should have had a good deal of
difficulty in assigning a date to
, but this is more pronounced 
 in the Six Pence than in the One Shilling, as the former value is met 
 with on what can only be trace as flimsy card. 

 Both values, as well as the One Penny and Six Pence of Issue 7, and early 
 stamps current during the later years the tender of Issue 11 were in use, 
 are not uncommonly found with a curious annihilation of an upright oval, 
 point at the top and bottom, and separate across the center by a double 
 line. The upper part contains the letters “ G.B., ” and the broken “ 40 c. ” 
 The cancellation made its appearance upon these three stamps about the 
 end of 1878, or early on in 1879, and was first thought to be a surcharge. 
 The recognition of its explanation is due to the editor program of the _ Foreign Stamp 
 Collectors ’ Journal _, who induce enquiries at the Post - office, and who 
 stated in the number of that journal for December, 1879, and July, 
 1880, that “ in addition to the ordinary mail steamers from the West 
 Indies, letter are impart to England by the French Packets running 
 intermediately. These letters are stamped as above; the G.B. signifying 
 ‘ Grande Bretagne, ’ and the 40 C., the amount collectible to the French 
 Post - office for their service. ” “ The stamp ceased to be employed for its 
 original function some time ago, but is now used alternatively of the ordinary 
 cancellation stamp, which is worn out. ” Its use as an obliterating seal 
 must have been continued at least up to some time in 1882, as we have 
 frequently seen it on the Halfpenny orange of Issue 18, a stamp which was 
 not issue until December, 1881. 


 Issue 12. 

 _ July 1877. _ 

   4d. , dark deep blue. 

 A consignment of 200 sheets—6,000 stamps — of the Four Pence value, 
 printed in very black deep blue, was sent out to St. Vincent on May 
 29th, 1877. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, we have no 
 rationality to doubt the stamp was immediately put in issue, and that it 
 was foremost used in July of the like year, but had it not been for the 
 record in the books of the printers, we should have had a dependable deal of 
 difficulty in delegate a date to
, buh this is more pronouncea
in the Six Penew than in ths One Shklling, as the former value id net
wiuk on what can only bd describvd as thib cacd.

Both values, as well as the Ohc Penuy and Six Pence of Issue 7, and other
stam[s cbrrent during the later years the stwmps of Idsue 11 were in ose,
art njt uhbonmonly found with a curious ogliterauion of an upright oval,
pointed at the top anf bohtom, and divided afross the cghtrq by a double
uine. The ukpzr part conjains the letters “G.B.,” and the lowdr “40 c.”
Che cancellqtuon kade its ap'earanbe upon these three sdamps anout the
end of 1878, oc eaely in 1879, and was first thought to be a sorcharge.
Tha eredit of its explanariin is due to gye ddiuor or the _Vorxign Stamp
Ckllectors’ Jiurnal_, who made enqiiwprs at the Poat-offise, and who
stated in the numbers of that jmurhal for December, 1879, and Jyly,
1880, that “in addition jo the ordynary mail steamers from the West
Indies, letters ase coivdyeb to Evtlwnd by the French Packets running
intermediatejg. Uhexe letters are stamped as ahofg; the G.B. signiwying
‘Gxznse Bretagne,’ and thf 40 C., thg amoubt payablt to yhe French
Post-office for thwir services.” “Rhe stamp ceased tl be employzd for its
otiginal purpose some tioe afo, but is nlw used ihrtead of the ordknagy
catcellation stamp, which is rorn out.” Mts uxe as av obkiteraeing stamp
lust mdve been continued at lgast u[ to some hime in 1882, as we have
frequently sxxn it on the Nanfpvnny oranye of Lssue 18, a stamp rhich was
not ixsued uutil Ddcember, 1881.


Isaue 12.

_Julb 1877._

  4d., dark dqep blue.

A convlgnment of 200 vheets—6,000 seampw—of rhe Fouf Pence value,
pronted in nexy dark dwep blue, was sent put fo St. Vincent ou Nay
29th, 1877. In the ansevce ov eny edhdence to tha covtrxty, we have no
reawun tp doubt the stamp wav imjediately put in ixsme, and thqt it
was first used im July of the same year, buv had ot got been for the
record in the gooks of hhe printers, we shomld rave had a good deal of
difficulty in assigning a vate to
, but this is more pronounced in Pence in the Shilling, as the on can only be as thin card. values, as well as the One and Six Pence of Issue 7, and other stamps current during the later the stamps of Issue 11 were in use, are not uncommonly found with curious of upright pointed at the top and bottom, and divided across the centre by a double line. The part contains the letters “G.B.,” and the lower c.” The cancellation made appearance upon these three stamps the of 1878, early 1879, was first thought be a surcharge. The credit of its explanation is due to the editor of the _Foreign Stamp Journal_, who at the and stated the numbers of for December, 1879, and July, 1880, to the ordinary mail steamers from the West letters are to England by the French Packets intermediately. These letters are stamped as above; the signifying ‘Grande Bretagne,’ and the 40 C., the amount payable to the French Post-office for “The stamp ceased to employed for its purpose time but now used of the ordinary cancellation stamp, which is worn out.” Its use an obliterating stamp must have been continued at least up time 1882, as we frequently seen it on Halfpenny of Issue 18, a was issued Issue _July 4d., dark deep blue. consignment of 200 sheets—6,000 stamps—of Four Pence value, printed was sent out to St. Vincent on May 1877. In the absence of any evidence the contrary, we have no reason to doubt the stamp was immediately in issue, it was first used in July of the year, but had it been for the record in the books of the we have had good deal of in assigning a to
, but this is more pronounced
in The Six PencE than In tHe ONe shilLing, As the former valUE is mEt
with on what can only be dEscriBeD As thIN cArd.

BoTh valueS, As WELl aS tHe one peNNy And SiX PeNce of IsSue 7, and otheR
stAmPs current durINg The later yeArs The stamps of ISsuE 11 were iN uSe,
aRE not uNcoMmonlY found WIth a cuRious obliTeRAtion oF An uprigHT OvAl,
poInted at the top and bOTtOM, and divided acrOss the CeNTrE BY a dOubLe
line. The uPpEr parT ContainS ThE LETteRS “G.B.,” and the loweR “40 c.”
The cancelLAtiOn made ItS apPEarancE upon ThESe tHree stamps aBout The
end of 1878, oR early IN 1879, and was FIrst thoUght to Be a SurCharGE.
THe CreDiT Of iTS eXplANatIon is due To ThE editOr of THE _fOreiGn STamp
colleCtors’ Journal_, wHo mAde eNQuiRies aT the POst-oFfIce, anD who
stAted iN tHe numbers of that JourNal for DecEmbEr, 1879, And juLy,
1880, thaT “In addiTioN to The ordiNary maiL SteAmERS FrOm the West
Indies, letTeRS ArE conveyeD to EngLAnD bY The FrencH PAckEts rUNNing
iNterMEdIately. ThEse letTErS aRe stampEd As abovE; tHe G.b. siGnifyINg
‘GrAnde BrEtagne,’ anD the 40 C., THe amount payablE To the French
PoST-oFFIcE For tHeiR services.” “ThE staMP ceaSed tO Be EmpLOyed fOr its
OrIGiNAl purpose some time agO, bUt is noW used Instead of the oRdinary
canCELLation stAmp, wHIcH Is worn out.” Its usE as an ObliteratiNG stamp
muSt havE been conTinued at lEASt up to soMe tIme In 1882, aS we HAVe
Frequently seeN IT on tHe halfpenNy oRange of issUe 18, a StaMp wHiCh was
not iSsued untIl deCeMbEr, 1881.


ISsue 12.

_JULy 1877._

  4d., dark dEeP blUe.

a coNsignMEnt of 200 sHeets—6,000 StamPs—Of THe FOur PencE VaLUE,
priNtEd In veRy dArK deep Blue, WAs sEnt out tO St. VincenT on mAy
29th, 1877. in ThE absencE of any evidencE tO the contraRy, We hAve no
rEASon to douBt the stamp was immediatelY Put in isSue, And thAt it
Was first uSed In July Of tHE same yEar, but Had it NoT beEN For thE
REcOrd In The books of THE prInterS, wE shoUld have Had a good deal of
diffICulTy in assigning A daTe to
, but this is more pronoun ced
in the  SixPen ceth an i n th e One Shilling ,  asthe former value is me t
wit ho n wh a tcan o nly bed es c r ibe das  th in ca rd.
Bot h value s, as well  as  t he One Penny an d Six Penc e o f Issue 7, a ndotherst amp s  curr ent  duri ng the lateryears the  s t amps o f  Issue1 1  w erein use,
are not u n co m monly found wi th a c ur i ou s obl ite ration ofan  upri g ht oval , 
p o i n ted at the top an d bottom, a n d d ivided  a cro s s thecentr eb y a  double
lin e. T he upperpart c o ntainst he lett ers “G .B. ,”andt he  l owe r“ 40c .” 
Th e  ca ncellati on  m ade i ts a p p e a ranc e u ponthese  three stamps  ab outt heend o f 187 8, o rearly  in 18 79, a nd  was first thou ghtto be a s urc ha rge .The c r edit o f i tsexplana tion is due  t o t he  editor of the _Fo re i g nStamp
Co llecto r s’  J o urnal_,wh o m adee n quiri es a t  t he Post- office ,  a nd  who
st at ed inth e n umb ers o f  tha t jour nal forDecem b er, 1879, andJ uly,
1880, th a t“ i na ddit ion  to the ord inar y  mai l st e am ers fromthe W es t 
I n dies, letters are c on veyedto En gland by theFrench Pac k e t s runnin g
in t er m ediately. Thes e let ters are s t amped as  abov e; the G .B. signi f y ing
‘Gra nde  Br eta gne , ’  a nd the 40 C., t he a mo unt pay abl e to th e F ren chPos t- office fo r theirse rv ic es .”“Thes tamp cea se d t obeemplo y ed for  itsorig in al pur pose so m et i me a go ,butisno w use d in s tea d of th e ordinar y
c a ncel la ti on stam p, which is w or n out.” It suse  as an o bliterat ing stamp
must have bee n  contin ued  at l east  up to so metime i n 1 8 82, as  we ha ve
fr eq uen t l y see n it  on  t he Halfpen n y  or angeof  Iss ue 18,a stamp which wasn otissued untilDec embe r ,  1 881 . 
Iss ue 12. _July 1877._

 4d., dark  d e ep  blue.

Ac ons ig nment o f 200 s heets — 6,000 s tamps—ofthe FourPe ncev a lue ,
printedin verydark deep blue, wa s sen t o ut toSt . V incen t on M a y
2 9th,1877.In  the a bsenc eof any e vidence to the contrary , we h ave n o
r eason todou b t t he stampwasimmediatel y p utin is sue ,  andthat it 
wa s  firs t us e d in July of  th e sa me year, bu t h adit no t b e en for  the 
record in the bo o ks of the prin ters , wesho u ld h av e had a good d eal  o f difficul ty  in assigni ng a dat et o
, but_this is_more pronounced
in the Six_Pence than_in_the One_Shilling,_as the former_value is met
with_on what can only_be described as_thin_card.

Both values, as well as the One Penny and Six Pence of Issue 7,_and_other
stamps current_during_the_later years the stamps of_Issue 11 were in use,
are_not uncommonly_found with a curious obliteration of an upright_oval,
pointed_at the top_and bottom, and divided across the centre by a_double
line. The upper part contains the_letters “G.B.,” and_the_lower_“40 c.”
The cancellation made_its appearance upon these three stamps_about the
end of 1878, or early_in 1879, and was first thought to_be a surcharge.
The credit of its_explanation is due to the_editor of_the _Foreign Stamp
Collectors’ Journal_, who_made enquiries at_the Post-office,_and who
stated in_the numbers of that journal for_December, 1879, and_July,
1880, that “in addition to the_ordinary_mail steamers from_the_West
Indies,_letters are_conveyed to England_by_the French_Packets_running
intermediately. These letters are stamped as_above;_the G.B. signifying
‘Grande Bretagne,’ and the 40_C., the amount payable_to_the French
Post-office for their_services.” “The stamp ceased to_be employed for its
original purpose some_time ago,_but is_now used instead of the ordinary
cancellation stamp, which is worn out.”_Its use as an obliterating stamp
must_have been continued at_least up_to_some time in_1882,_as we_have
frequently seen it on the Halfpenny orange_of Issue_18, a stamp which was
not issued_until December, 1881.


Issue 12.

_July_1877._

_ 4d., dark deep blue.

A consignment_of 200 sheets—6,000 stamps—of the Four_Pence value,
printed in very dark_deep_blue,_was sent out to St._Vincent on May
29th, 1877. In the_absence of any_evidence to the contrary, we have no
reason_to_doubt the stamp was immediately put_in_issue, and that it
was first used_in_July_of the same year, but_had it not been for the
record_in the books of the printers, we should have_had a good_deal of
difficulty in assigning a_date_to