The Maltese Cross: The World's First Obliterator

Introduction

THE MALTESE CROSS

The World's First Obliterator


Background: In May 1840, the Post Office of Great Britain introduced the use of postage stamps, an innovative means of pre-paying postage. A further innovation was required to prevent the fraudulent re-use of these adhesives. The method decided upon was to obliterate them in ink using a new handstamp. This was constructed of brass with a wooden handle and was originally known simply as the 'Obliterating Stamp'. More latterly it has become known as the 'Maltese Cross'.

The original ink colour was red, mixed according to a formula detailed in a postal notice dated 25th April 1840. The complexity of this formula, shown below, coupled with the natural variety of the ingredients, possibly led to some variations in the colour of the resultant obliterating ink;
'1lb Printer's red ink, 1 pint linseed oil, Half-pint of the droppings of Sweet Oil, To be well mixed'

The ink was changed to a ready mixed black composition in February 1841, to coincide with the introduction of the 1d red adhesive and, in early 1843, a series of numbered Maltese Crosses was introduced within the London Inland Office. Otherwise, the Official use of the Cross remained largely unchanged until mid 1844 when it was decided to replace the design with five series of more functional Numeral Obliterators.

Treatment: The apparent simplicity of design and function belies a rich variety of usages. This exhibit illustrates Official policies and the lack of adherence thereto, including the use of unofficial inks and Cross design and it concludes by illustrating the unofficial late use of the Maltese Cross.

Layout

1. Early use
  • 1.1 Prior to Official First Day
  • 1.2 First Official Day of Use, 6th May 1840
  • 1.3 Other Early Usages

2. Variations in the Obliterating Ink
  • 2.1 Experimental Black Ink
  • 2.2 Unofficial Early Use of Black ink
  • 2.3 The Official Introduction of Black Ink
  • 2.4 Unofficial Late Use of Red Ink
  • 2.5 Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations

3. Variations in the Obliterator use
  • 3.1 Distinctive Crosses
  • 3.2 Unusual Usages

4. The Replacement of the Maltese Cross
  • 4.1 Transition From Maltese Cross to Numerals
  • 4.2 Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross

Exhibit Content

Date ranges for the introduction of black obliterating ink and for the replacement of the Cross are established and differences in these dates between the English, Scottish, Irish and London offices are illustrated. This previously unpublished research has been contributed to the authors of the Encyclopaedia of the Maltese Cross Cancellations of Great Britain and Ireland (see below) along with full drafts for the chapters on London (volume 1) and the late use of the Maltese Cross (to be included in volume 3). A number of the illustrations from the book have been used in this exhibit with the kind permission of the authors.

References

Encyclopaedia of the Maltese Cross Cancellations of Great Britain and Ireland Vols 1-2, S.D. Rockoff and M. Jackson, 2006
The Maltese Cross Cancellations of the United Kingdom, R.C.Alcock and F.C.Holland, 1970
End of the Maltese Cross Obliterator, H.R.Hughes, GB Journal Vol.42 No.4, 2006

Frame 1

  1. Introduction
  2. Prior to the Official First Day of Use - The Earliest Recorded Postal Use of the Maltese Cross
  3. The First Official Day of Use
  4. The First Official Day of Use
  5. The First Official Day of Use - Prepaid Stampless Mail
  6. Other Early Usages - Extra Maltese Cross
  7. Other Early Usages - Contemporary Adverse Comment
  8. Other Early Usages - Unnecessary and Unofficial Use
  9. Experimental Black Ink - Official Trials
  10. Unofficial Early Use of Black Ink - Jersey and Cranbrook
  11. The Official Introduction of Black Ink - London Inland Office
  12. The Official Introduction of Black Ink - The English Provinces
  13. The Official Introduction of Black Ink - The English Provinces
  14. The Official Introduction of Black Ink - Ireland
  15. The Official Introduction of Black Ink - Scotland
  16. The Official Introduction of Black Ink - Scotland

Frame 2

  1. The Unofficial Late Use of Red Ink - London
  2. The Unofficial Late Use of Red Ink - Provincial Towns
  3. The Unofficial Late Use of Red Ink - Provincial Towns
  4. The Unofficial Late Use of Red Ink - Ireland
  5. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Red and Black in Combination
  6. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Red and Black in Combination
  7. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Vermillion and Purple
  8. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Blue and Black in Combination
  9. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Green
  10. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - 'White'
  11. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Brown
  12. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Blue
  13. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Mixed Red and Black Inks
  14. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Bright Red Shades
  15. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Solid Orange Crosses
  16. Unofficial Ink Colours and Combinations - Pink and Ruby

Frame 3

  1. Distinctive Crosses - Dunnet
  2. Distinctive Crosses - Alexandria and Kilmarnock
  3. Distinctive Crosses - Mullingar and Wotton
  4. Distinctive Crosses - Whitehaven
  5. Distinctive Crosses - Belfast and Cork
  6. Distinctive Crosses - Kelso
  7. Distinctive Crosses - Coventry Type 2
  8. Distinctive Crosses - Brighton
  9. Distinctive Crosses - Greenock
  10. Distinctive Crosses - Perth
  11. Distinctive Crosses - Arbroath and Stirling
  12. Distinctive Crosses - Edinburgh
  13. Distinctive Crosses - Norwich and Leamington
  14. Distinctive Crosses - Dumfries
  15. Distinctive Crosses - London 'Broken Points'
  16. Distinctive Crosses - Campbeltown

Frame 4

  1. Distinctive Crosses - Leeds
  2. Distinctive Crosses - York
  3. Distinctive Crosses - Coventry Type 1
  4. Distinctive Crosses - Manchester
  5. Distinctive Crosses - London Numbered Series
  6. Distinctive Crosses - London Numbered Series
  7. Distinctive Crosses - London Numbered Series
  8. Distinctive Crosses - London Numbered Series
  9. Unusual Usages - Maltese Cross Omitted
  10. Unusual Usages - To Obliterate a Postmark
  11. Unusual Usages - Stampless Wrappers
  12. Unusual Usages - Single Cross Cancelling a Pair
  13. Unusual Usages - Multiple Strikes
  14. Unusual Usages - Mulready Caricatures
  15. Unusual Usages - Additional Strikes
  16. Unusual Usages - Additional Strikes

Frame 5

  1. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - English Provinces and Wales
  2. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - English Provinces and Wales
  3. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - London Inland Office
  4. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - London Inland Office
  5. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - London District Post Office
  6. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - Scotland
  7. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - Ireland
  8. The Transition from Maltese Cross to Numerals - Ireland
  9. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - In Blue
  10. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - Combination of Maltese Cross and Numeral
  11. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - Combination of Maltese Cross and Numeral
  12. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - Perforated Adhesives
  13. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - As a Backstamp
  14. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - 6d Postage Rates
  15. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - Unusual Functions
  16. Unofficial Late Use of the Maltese Cross - Cursed Royal Letter