SCOTTISH EXPERIMENTAL DUPLEX CANCELLATIONS
Inverness had two Types proofed during 1856 but for some reason the later Type (Type 3) does not seem to have been used. If anybody can find an example I would be delighted to see it. The first Type had several recuts leading to Type 2 and Type 2 Recut 1 as described below. Surprisingly this latter mark was brought out of storage some six years after the LKD of Type 2.
Characteristics: The ‘normal’ experimental design with four short bars each side of ‘183’. Damage to the letter ‘R’ (in the form of a small gap at the top) is shown on the Proof above and this was evident on all examples until the recut to make Type 2 as was the break on the right of the second long bar. Damage also occurred to the first ‘E’ with the top horizontal arm breaking off. I have seen an example dated 14th March 1856 where the damage is not evident but it is on the next example dated 16th June 1856. Examples between these two dates would be very much welcomed to enable me to narrow down the break date
Proofed: 4th March 1856
EKD: 14th March 1856
LKD: 18th December 1856
Months of Use:
Known Codes:
Scarcity Rating: F (Rare) and G (Very Rare) for examples without ‘E’ damage
Characteristics: This appears to be a recut of Type 1 with the damage to the ‘E’ and ‘R’ being repaired. However, at the same time the right short bars were removed.
Proofed: 22nd December 1856
EKD: 21st January 1857 (SPG state having seen 16th January 1857)
LKD: 23rd December 1858
Months of Use:
Known Codes:
Scarcity Rating: E (Scarce)
Characteristics: This is a recut of Type 2 but the only noticeable difference is that the Code slot appears to have been cut higher which interferes with the vertical leg of the letter ‘R’ which is now truncated. However, easier identification can be made via the dates. Why there was a gap of four years between the LKD of Type 2 and this Recut can only be guessed. A feature of this cancellation is that the year is expressed in two digits only unlike the proof impression above.
There were two distinct periods of use which are described below.
Proofed: 1st December 1862. There was a further impression in the Proof Books dated 1st August 1866 but this seems only to refer to the supply of a new Year and Codes slugs
First Period EKD: 11th January 1864
First Period LKD: 1st February 1864
Second Period EKD: 9th August 1866
Second Period LKD: 9th August 1866
Months of Use: January and February 1864 and August 1866
Known Codes:
Scarcity Rating: First Period G (Very Rare), Second Period H (Very Few Recorded)
Type 3
Characteristics: Similar to Type 1 but the letter spacing is different e.g. The letter ‘I’ is more horizontal than that in Type 1 . Also if the top bar is extended left it rests on top of the first ‘S’ whereas in Type 1 it would cut into the second ‘E’. To date no copies of this Type have been seen
Proofed: 27th June 1856
EKD: ??
LKD: ??
Months of Use: ??
Known Codes: ??
Scarcity Rating: GPO (Proof Book Entry Only)
Sideways Duplex
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