It is well recognised that red indicated "prepaid", black unprepaid, at least by 5 Dec 1839. Can anyone tell me when this convention first started to be used?
From Peter Chadwick
red and black chargemarks
Re: red and black chargemarks
Hi Peter -- I moved this topic from "Postal Stationery" to "Postal Markings", slip of the mouse presumably.
As for the question, I suspect the answer is an unsatisfactory "it sort of grew up over time". David Robinson in "For the Port & Carriage of Letters" (page 13) gives the date as "From about the 1780's", but also gives examples of other usages with a warning to check carefully, and mentions that small post offices and receiving houses often did handwritten prepaid marks in black. I can't argue with that.
Maurice
As for the question, I suspect the answer is an unsatisfactory "it sort of grew up over time". David Robinson in "For the Port & Carriage of Letters" (page 13) gives the date as "From about the 1780's", but also gives examples of other usages with a warning to check carefully, and mentions that small post offices and receiving houses often did handwritten prepaid marks in black. I can't argue with that.
Maurice
Re: red and black chargemarks
In a letter to postmasters dated 30th October 1820 Francis Freeling said:;
"And I am to direct you, in every case, to mark the Rates of Postage plainly and legibly on all Letters: and that such as are Post-paid may be invariably marked with Red Ink."
I think this was a reminder not an initial instruction.
"And I am to direct you, in every case, to mark the Rates of Postage plainly and legibly on all Letters: and that such as are Post-paid may be invariably marked with Red Ink."
I think this was a reminder not an initial instruction.