Weekend Mailbox #9 Marriage Lines

My parents' marriage certificate

Stamps were not always used solely for the payment of postage. Legal documents were often stamped.  It was a legal requirement that any bill over £2 had to be certified as paid by the addition of a 2d stamp. Anyone who gave a receipt for an amount of £2 or more without a stamp would be liable to a fine of £10. Marriage and birth certificates were aso stamped but cost less than £2 and so carried a 1d stamp. Stamp duties had been extant from the 17th century but this particular stamp duty was abolished in 1971.

My maternal grandparents' marriage certificate 1896

My paternal grandparents were married in 1898 but this copy of their  certificate was  issued in February 1915. My paternal grandfather died when his ship, HMS Bulwark, blew up and sank off Sheerness, Kent. Interestingly the stamp has been affixed on its side.

My mother always referred to her marriage certificate as her 'marriage lines' and kept it in an envelope labelled thus along with her parents' and her in-laws' certificates after their deaths.
Thanks go as ever to Gemma from 'Greyscale Territory' who organises and hosts this meme. To see more Weekend Mailboxes' please click here.

Weekend Mailbox #2

I'm using 'Postbox red' for this post!
These stamps were sent to me last year by Sarah from 'Circles of Rain'.

It may not be possible to read the information so I have reproduced it below:-

The earliest known surviving posting slot was placed in the wall of Wakefield Post Office in 1809. Britain's first roadside pillar boxes appeared in the early 1850s but, in remote and less populated areas, a cheaper and more practical alternative was needed, resulting in the development of smaller post boxes. Initially, they were installed in walls, buildings or brick pillars; later designs were also attached to lamp posts.

At the top right hand corner: Early posting slot Wakefield (1809)

From left to right:-

George V Type B wall box; Edward VII Ludlow box; Victorian lamp box; Elizabeth II Type A wall box

Thank you to Gemma from 'Greyscale Territory' for originating and hosting this entertaining meme. To see more - or even to join in - please click here.