JUSTICE ROOM

These stamps were for use in the Mansion House and the Guildhall in London for the payment of fees and the collection of fines by the Court of the Alderman. These were semi-official courts that dealt with matters relating to the City of London.

These stamps, which first appeared in early 1869, were printed by the firm Perkins Bacon. The design is based around the Arms of the City of London, with with an engine turned background similar to the lower denominations of British postage stamps also printed by Perkins Bacon (such as the Penny Red). The stamps were printed on various papers withought any watermark and are perforated with either gauge 11½ or 12½. Usage appears to have ceased in around 1910.

The first issues were in a red-brown colour without any printed value. However, the cancellation of the above example clearly shows that this was prbably to remain in use throught the overall period of the use of Justice Room stamps.

In 1871 values issues in black appeared, overprinted with various face values in red text.

Varieties

On most values, some variation can be found in the oveprinted values.

From 1888 the surcharge was changed to numerals. Again, many variations can be found on each value such as the 1s value shown above. Note the large wide '0' of the upper value illustration, and the lower height and spacing of the lower illustration.

Typical Cancellations

The most common cancellation appears to be the perfin design 'MH/J.R'. The perfin 'G./J.R' was also used, although this is less common.

Several handstamps were also used, such as the above box cancel or the oval cachet illustrated earlier. In addition, the earlier issues often turn up with a simple manuscript cross cancellation.