All resolved! Through further research I discovered two contemperary wrappers/covers with the same handwriting addressed from Dublin to Boston and New York. The interpretation of their postage rates immediately answered the oddities on my wrapper viz. 8d Dublin to London + 1/- London to NY + 3 1/2d ...

I have a wrapper dtd 8 Dec 1799 sent from London to Quebec. It was charged 1s 11 1/2 pence. The 1/- covered the Packet Rate london to New York. The 11 1/2d is said to be "the Canadian rate from the lines of Quebec". This latter phrase is not understood. Also that the rate from New York to ...

http://www.gbps.org.uk/boards/images/transferred/25805_1.jpg The wrapper is dated 26 Nov 1768 and was posted from Dublin (Dublin Bishop Mark) to London (Bishop Mark for 3 Dec). It is a FREE item although originally appears to have been charged - rate unclear although '7'd possible? - then changed t...

There are a couple of books that may help and which you might not yet have seen?
'Moving the Mail by Road'; by the BPMA and published Dec 2011.
'Packhorse, Wagon and Post' by J L Crofts and published by Routledge, Kegan and Paul in 1967.

I think I have the answer to the provision of horses. Remembering the matter of 'Hobson's Choice' and how Hobson ran the stables for the supply of horses for the early post service, I am sure that he relied on the exchange of animals - as one was brought in after completing a post stage so another w...

Without having a close look at the stamp I cannot identify the plate but if it is later than Plate 11 then I would have my doubts as to the genuineness of the cancellation.

I will also very much appreciate having my knowledge improved here. If possible I would also like to have a copy of the article send to at pderoet@hotmail.com.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Nigel Borlase-Hendry

Can anyone explain the manuscript entries (usually at bottom left of front panel on mails) "Speed" and "With Speed"? The implication is that the item is to be delivered post-haste yet the postal charges I've seen do not reflect other than standard delivery services. It may be sim...

Like mozzerb I am a bit lost with whatever it is that is the nub of the discussion. Judging by the initial statement I would seem correct in describing myself as a Postal Historian when my own interests lie in GB 1765-1799 and 1840-44 in particular yet would be incorrect if I limited myself to pre-s...

Thank you all for your help. Much appreciated. It is official that Toys R Us is not a 20th Century invention!

Example of '1 N 3' on letter dated 28 August 1786 from Hereford to London.

Please can someone explain the meaning of the letter N when applied within the postal rate e.g. '1 N 3' and '2 N' on mail sent in the late 18th Century? At first I thought it was an old version of 'Toys R Us' through the colloquial expressing of 'One 'n threepence' etc but this cannot be the case wh...

Yes, Porthskewett is a couple of miles from Chepstow but I have no record of a ferry at that point, indeed the village is not quite on the Severn. I doubt whether there would have been a toll on mail but the Aust Ferry just south certainly charged for people and carts. As the cover bears the Chepsto...

Certainly an anomaly. From 1785 mail did not have to travel via London and thus no charges to and from London - had this letter done so the total charge would have been 8d. The Cross Post manuscript suggests that the author wished to ensure 'direct' delivery as well as saving himself a 1d or 2d. Wit...

The suggestions offered by Harvey closely match my own thoughts - particualrly 'Cancell' being truncated 'Cancelled'. The cover bears no indication of having been used - no postal marks or 'fair wear and tear'.

I cannot be sure but I believe a date around 1890 has been reported. I have seen a 1d red used as postage (and accepted) on a cover sent 1908.