5 Shilling Victorian stamp

[cpvh]

Hi All,

I?ve recently seen a pic of a cancelled 5 Shilling stamp with Vicky?s head on it.

It seems like a lot of postage to pay even for a very large parcel.

Is it likely it might have been used on a legal document or a postal order or something?

[Chris Hogg]

5/- QV stamps are not uncommon. I have several in my collection. They were issued in the 1870's. I also have several 10/- and £1 QV stamps from the same period. 10/- and £1 stamps were issued under all the monarchs since QV, but no £5 ones, at least not pre-decimalisation.

The highest denomination QV stamp was £5, which, if inflated to today's values, would be fractionally under £600.

Some £5 stamps in collectors' hands (not mine!) were franked 'Hatton Garden', and AIUI were for consignments of diamonds or other high-value jewellery. The cost of the stamp included insurance, presumably against theft or other loss, and presumably not necessarily diamonds or jewellery, but other high-value items.

Images here, but I don't see a Hatton Garden franking.

although there is one franked 'Threadneedle Street', so was presumably from the Old Lady. Gold bullion perhaps?

[Robin]

Could be either. Bear in mind she appeared om stamps for the dominions and colonies; and on both postage stamps and "Revenue stamps" (for stamp duties). Oh, and some Revenue stamps could also be used for postage.

Hear endeth my knowledge of Victorian stamps: I once worked on stamp duties but I ain'tn't that old.

[Cursitor Doom]

Yes, more likely Stamp Duty on a share certificate or something of that nature.