"RAILWAY LETTER BOX. / SPANISH TOWN." HANDSTAMP
The Only Known Example
OHMS cover from Spanish Town to Kingston dated December 21, 1880 franked with QV 2d single and cancelled
on arrival in Kingston. Cover was unclaimed and routed to the Return Letter Branch on Jan. 19, 1881.
"RAILWAY LETTER BOX. / SPANISH TOWN." handstamp on face indicates posting at the Spanish Town railway
station. On Aug. 1, 1878, the post office issued an official announcement regarding the installation of
letter boxes at the Kingston, Spanish Town, and Old Harbour railway stations and the carrying of mail
between these stations. However, no further examples of 19th century mail posted at these railway stations
have been found.
"JAMAICA RAILWAY" On Top, No Separators
Known Used Between October 1901 and November 1909
Black and white postcard to Massachussetts dated March 15, 1906 franked with bicolor Arms 1d
stamp and tied by Spanish Town railway datestamp. Obverse shows a native hut in the Blue Mountains
(move cursor over image to view).
"JAMAICA GOV'T RAILWAY" On Top, Maltese Cross Separators
Known Used Between January 1910 and February 1921
Black and white postcard to New York dated January 31, 1910 franked with red Arms 1d stamp
and tied by Spanish Town railway datestamp. Obverse shows a native family posing in front
of their home. The earliest known use of this type of railway datestamp.
Black and white postcard to England dated March 2, 1910 franked with red Arms 1d stamp
and is tied by Spanish Town railway datestamp. Obverse is a view of King's House in Spanish Town.
"JAMAICA GOV'T RAILWAY" On Top, No Separators
Known Used Between March 1917 and December 1924
Cover to Maryland dated Oct. 13, 1917 with franking tied by Spanish Town railway datestamps.
"JAMAICA GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS" On Top, Dot Separators
Known Used Between December 1922 and October 1924