Item Description

GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND Railway Letter stamp covers, even of a routine nature, are very collectable and increasingly valued. Here are a couple of absolute winners! 1920: Note, first of all, that Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom at this time, hence use of a GB KGV stamp. The years immediately following WWI saw rapid inflation. The Dublin & South Eastern Railway revalued their 2d stamp to 3d with a surcharge in January 1920, and again to 4d in September. Lacy-Spencer values this stamp at £45 for used. A multiplier of six to eight for used-on-cover is usually considered reasonable among railway letter stamp collectors. 1926: Now deflation is king. Cheshire Lines had also jumped their charge to 3d and then 4d in 1920, but in January 1926 a 3d handstampsignalled a reduction. Lacy-Spencer values the used stamp as "from £25", noting that the handstamp exists in various sizes and colours. Note, the GB postage rate has fallen as well, to 1½d.