Postal Usage
Genuine postal usage occurred occasionally during the general issue of the stamps and to a greater degree after they were withdrawn at the end of October 1881 when they were unofficially accepted for postage on a fairly widespread basis. Desire for postally used examples at the turn of the century led to many faked examples and stamps being sent philatelically through the mail.
Plate 1 used postally, cancelled with a Brighton duplex.
Plate 2 used postally, cancelled with a London hooded circle.
Plate 3 used postally, cancelled with hooded circle, duplex, and squared circle.
Railway Telegraph Office Usage
Cancelled with “English Station” numerals in circles, “Scottish Station” numerals in rectangles, and “Irish Station” numerals in diamonds.
| England and Wales | Scotland | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plate 1 | 206, 351, 443, 547, 855, 979, 997, 1102, 1231, 1439, 1453 | 45 | 29? |
| Plate 2 | 308, 535, 704, 855, 979, 1192, 1438 | 45, 96 | — |
| Plate 3 | 206, 308, 704, 973, 979 | — | — |