Great Britain
Pre-stamp
Prior to the introduction of the postage stamp in 1840, it was far more expensive to send mail and revenues were jealously guarded. Envelopes or wrappers might bear a variety of markings; handstamps indicating origin, transits and destination, prepayment, manuscript charge marks including the amounts due to each charging authority, instructional markings, disinfection markings and slits. The possibilities for collectors are immense, whether focussing on local or international mail.
