Page 82 - Jarvis & Wright: Jamaica Display to RPSL

Jamaica: 1860 to 1879 Postal History

Ship Letters
Ship Letter Markings

Use of Contract Packet ships had become the norm but occasionally letters were still sent by other ships
with special ship letter handstamps applied.

Ship Letter from Kingston to the UK at 3d Rate (1863–1868)
When Jamaica adhesives were first issued in 1860, a 3d denomination was not needed.
However, after introduction of the 3d Ship Letter rate (1 Apr 1863) De La Rue were asked to print a 3d adhesive.
The front below was cancelled on the first day of issue of this 3d adhesive.

At Kingston
K10 of 10 Sep 1863
Obliterator ‘A01’
‘Jamaica / Ship Letter’ SL5
‘1½d’ PD9 (Foster Rare)

At Liverpool
Liverpool / Ship of 12 Oct 1863

1876 Ship Letter from Jamaica (Port Antonio) to USA (Pennsylvania)

At Port Antonio
A64 obliterator and cds, on reverse, dated
21 Jul 1876

At Kingston:
cds of 22 Jul 1876 and boxed Jamaica /
27 Jul 76 / Ship Mail Type SL9 (known
used 1872 to 1876)

At Baltimore:
cds of 3 Aug 1876, ‘SHIP’ and ‘5’ (cents)

4d Ship Letter rate (applied from 1868 to 1877), plus 2d inland charge)