Page 10 - Atmore_PH_QV

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From as early as 1796, letters endorsed "Ship Letter" could be dispatched by private vessel instead of
being entrusted to the official Packet ships. The postage rate between Jamaica and the British Isles was
set in 1860 at 6d per Y20z, irrespective of the type of vessel employed. In Apri11863, however, the
official Packet rate was increased to 1/-, while the rate via non-contract vessels was decreased to 3d.
Naturally, the need for a new 3d Postage Stamp quickly became apparent and. by June 1863, work on a
new design was virtually complete. A General Post Office Notice of September IO~t~, 1863 states:
For the convenience of the public, Postage Stamps of the denomination of three pence have been
imported and can be obtained at this Office. These Stamps are well adapted for Ship Letters.

3d Postage Stamp. Surface Printed by De La Rue. Comb Perf. 14 at Somerset House
Pineapple watermark. Registered colour: green. Issued 1 ott~ September 1863

111
1863 (14 November) "Ship Letter Mail" from Kingston to Torquay.
Note the two-line "JAMAICA/SHIP LETTER" band-stamp used on all such mail since 1841 and also
the "1 Yz" band-stamp denoting the proportion of the postage to be credited to the British Post Office.