Her Majesty's Mails

Soon after the introduction of postage-stamps, stamped envelopes were again proposed. This time the proposition was a very simple one, only consisting of the usual kind of stamp embossed on the right-hand corner of a common envelope; the shape to be oval, round, or octagonal, according to the value of the envelope. For the envelopes themselves, a peculiar kind of paper was prepared by Mr. Dickenson, and was considered on all hands to be the best possible preventive of forgery. This paper, which was manufactured with lines of thread or silk stretched through its substance, has been used ever since. Russia, in adopting the stamped envelope, guards against forgery by means of a large water-mark of a spread eagle running over the envelope. The English Stamp-Office affords every facility in the matter of stamped paper and envelopes, and private individuals may indulge their tastes to almost any extent. The officers of Inland Revenue, Somerset House, will place an embossed stamp on any paper or envelope taken to them, equal to the value of any of those above mentioned, or to a combination of any of them, under the following regulations:-- 1st. When the stamps required do not amount to 10l. worth one shilling is charged, in addition to the postage stamps, for each distinct size of paper. 2d. When the stamps amount to 10l. worth no fee is charged if one size of paper only be sent. 3d. When the stamps amount to 20l. worth, no fee is charged, and two sizes of paper are allowed; 30l. three sizes are allowed; 40l. four sizes.