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Franking on letters

  • 23-10-2014 1:01pm
    #1
    Qualitymark
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭


    What is this frank, would anyone know? It appears to be from the War of Independence…


Comments

  • #2
    Missent
    Registered Users Posts: 157 ✭✭Missent


    Qualitymark

    It's an example of the emergency handstamp used to cancel letters in Dublin after the 1916 Rebellion following the destruction of the GPO. It's recorded as type 183 in William Kane's Catalogue of the Postal Markings of Dublin 1840-1922. Apparently, it was used to cancel parcels as early as 1909.


  • #3
    Qualitymark
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    Thank you! How long was it used for in 1916? It seems to be used on 1917 letters in one National Library file.


  • #4
    Peregrinus
    Registered Users Posts: 26,025 ✭✭✭✭Peregrinus


    The GPO was destroyed in 1916, and other "temporary" arrangements were in place for years. The main sorting function was transferred to the Rotunda rink (an ice-skating rink which stood where the Garden of Remembrance now is) which was leased for the purpose, and was still being used for that purpose at the time of the Civil War - it was attacked by Republican forces and burned in November 1922, after which sorting was transferred to Banba Hall in Parnell Square. The GPO wasn't reopened after reconstruction until 1929.

    I don't know whether the temporary franking stamps were used throughout this period, though.


  • #5
    Qualitymark
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    They weren't; there are also many envelopes franked "November 1917" and the like.


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