Numeral Obliterators.

Horizontal Numeral Obliterators were introduced ca. 1844 in an attempt to show the place where the item of mail was posted. Examples featured horizontal bars above and below a number. In Ireland a diamond shape was used. (Occasionally circular shapes were used and these are known as "spoons"). The number was allocated in accordance with the place the post town appeared on the Post Office alphabetic listing.

 

Vertical Numeral Obliterators were introduced in the 1860's. By this time the horizontal obliterators were being superseded by duplex datestamps, but many of the new small post offices received a vertical obliterator and it was also used as an emergency replacement for damaged horizontal obliterators in bigger offices.

 

The obliterator was used to cancel the stamp and a datestamp was applied to the reverse of the envelope. However, in some cases the datestamp was applied beside the obliterator on the front of the envelope (see Roscommon example below). Further information welcome. Please contact us.

 

The following is a list of Horizontal & Vertical Numeral Obliterators for Co. Roscommon.
Post Town Number Used. Image Remarks.
Athleague (Ath Liag) 17    
Athlone (Ath Luain) 18 Horizontal.
Ballaghaderreen (Bealach an Doirín) 28    
Ballinlough (Baile an Locha) 512   Also Ballintubber.
Ballymurray (Baile Muireadhaigh) 51    
Boyle (Mainistir an Buille) 70 Horizontal.
Castlerea (An Caisleán Riabhach) 121 Vertical.

Late use, with datestamp. 9 January 1887. 
Elphin (Ail Finn) 207 Horizontal.
Frenchpark (Dún Gar) 230  
Knockcroghery (Cnoc an Chrochaire) 294    
Mounttalbot (Mun Talbóid) 341    
Rooskey (Rúscaigh) 401    
Roscommon (Ros Comáin) 396 Vertical.

Late use, with datestamp. 12 March 1871.
Strokestown (Béal na mBuillí) 417    

* Information extracted from "Irish Post Offices" by Harald Frank & Klaus Stange. Forschungs und Arbeitsgemeinschaft Irland e. V. (FAI) - Schriftenreihe Band 13. 1990 and "Stamp & Coin Mart" Magazine, February 2009 issue, page 12 & March 2009 issue, page 14.

If you have any further information, or examples of the missing postal obliterators, please contact us.

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