Page 405 - Jarvis & Wright: Jamaica Display to RPSL

Jamaica Registration: Mailed Out Of Course.

Forerunners: ‘Put in the office’ 1850.
In 1850 pre-payment was compulsory for post to countries outside the Empire. Such post had to be
proffered and paid for at the post office counter.

This 1850 letter to Madeira came to light in the post office at Duncans out of the usual course, though
not necessarily via the letter box. Because it was unpaid it was returned for payment and then sent
on its way, paid. The postmaster at Duncans, H. Benaim, added two notes of explanation for the
delay of 38 days between the date of the letter, 3 February, and its arrival at Kingston, 13 March.
Neither note is dated. The sole Duncans mark of 2 March might have been the date of the first note,
when the postmaster first found this letter or the date of the second note, when it was properly paid.

Ex Swarbrick; Dewavrin.

Letter dated inside Duncans Post Office 3 February 1850.

To Madeira, marked Packet.
In black: This letter was put in the office without its being paid for and without any knowledge of this office
otherwise the postage would have been exacted. H. B.

and at left: March 2nd 1850.

Duncans: 2 March 1850.
In red: Subsequently paid H. B. p.m.

1/6.
Kingston: 13 March 1850.
Great Britain Paid: 21 April 1850.
Madeira rate mark: 160 [Reis].

Received in Madeira by the addressee: 21 May 1850.