Postmen's handstamps

Abstract

A stamp collector's first introduction to Postal History has often been the result of acquiring an interest in Postmen's Handstamps. The reason for this is mainly due to the fact that many of these handstruck markings are not too difficult to acquire. Any collection of pre-war picture postcards, either locally used, or incoming to Malta, is bound to produce a number of Postmen's Handstamps. Whereas in previous years these same markings were generally ignored, the inclusion of a section on this subject in Said's catalogue in recent years has understandably aroused considerable interest among collectors. [excerpt]