| Berwick | Bristol | Carlisle | Dublin | Exeter |
| Falmouth | Liverpool | London | Manchester | Newcastle |
I am attempting to list all the recognizable types of marking used. Unlike Hodgson and Sedgewick who adopted a sequential numbering system I have chosen to list the markings by Offices with type numbers for each, thus Aberdeen has only type 1 while for Berwick there are seven distinctive types. This should allow for easy inclusion of previously unrecorded marks. The items illustrated are all from my own collection unless otherwise stated.
Height is shown first and measurements are taken from the widest points of the mark. Very minor differences will exist due to wear of the hand stamp. The frame of some hand stamps is also subject to significant deterioration.
Earliest and latest dates are shown. I have included the dates recorded by H. & S. in brackets.
Usually the mark will have been applied at the office the item was posted from. Where this office did not possess a hand stamp or where by mistake no hand stamp was applied the mark would be applied either at a forwarding office or at the office of destination. Where the half is first applied in manuscript this will almost always be at the town of origin. The colour of the mark is sometimes very distinctive.
Always one of the most contentious parts of any such work but also one of the most widely used the rarity and valuation guide I feel is essential. This has to be rather subjective and I do not expect all dealers or collectors to agree with my opinions (but I will listen to advice).
Note that rarity and value do not run directly in parallel. Philatelic importance and historical pricing have a big effect. Thus the most valuable mark in the opinion of most dealers would be the distinctive small boxed Exeter of which at least a dozen and probably quite a few more examples are recorded, while a unique example of a mark from an obscure Scottish post town would lack the glamour to attract a high price.
The other important factor is condition. My valuations are for a clear strike on a clean cover. This is usually an uncommon combination of circumstances and for some marks it does not appear to exist. Prices for less clear strikes or for covers with unsightly filing creases or grime would be much less. Other postal markings or unusual destinations might send the price upwards.
Terminology:- Common, fairly common, uncommon, scarce, very scarce, rare, unique
Rarity - £5 - £400