Numbers in Maltese cross

NUMBERS IN MALTESE CROSSES

     The Maltesse cross cancellations, with the numbers in the centre, were introduced in the midle of March, 1843. These were in use at the London Head office, with one cancellation device per table. With the exception of number 3, all the obliterators originally showed a cross at the top and the known examples where this is not present are assigned to accidental damage or wear.
     We do not consider the listing presented here to be complette, but have made it avalible to show the various types and sub-types which we know to exist. Again some of these types may be repaired or re-cut impressions of an earlier type and they may be re-assigned as more information becomes avalible.
     The selection of pictures has been made to illustrate the major points of the cancellation, rather than the stamp and may be replaced as better examples become avalible. Most variations are known to exist on stamps printed in red but examples are also known on Penny Blacks and Two Pence Blues, Mulreadys and embossed envelopes.

Screw-Head		Often mistaken for the number 1 in cross The main difference is the general shape of the outer cross and the central diamond, which is not present on the true London cancellations Click here to see this stamp used on cover
Screw-Head		Often mistaken for the number 1 or 4 in cross The main difference is the general shape of the outer cross and the central diamond, which is not present on the true London cancellations
1a	Known used on cover in conjunction with number 3 Known used on a block of 4 in conjunction with number 12	Number 1 in cross Flat top serif to top of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 23^rd March 1843 Earliest known use 22^nd March 1843 Latest known use 11^th May 1844 Early impressions of this type show a thinner upright and well defined top serif and base to the numeral
1b		Number 1 in cross Very thin small angled serif to top of numeral. Thin base to foot of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression.
1c		Number 1 in cross Very thin small serif to top of numeral. No base to foot of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression.
2a	Known on 1^d Blacks	Number 2 in cross Blob at top of numeral. Sloping base to numeral Intact cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 23^rd March 1843 Earliest known use 21^st March 1843 Latest known use 7^th May 1844
2b		Number 2 in cross Blob at top of numeral. Sloping base to numeral Broken cross (+) at top of impression.
2c		Number 2 in cross Blob at top of numeral. Dipped central portion to base to numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression Click here to see more examples
2d		Number 2 in cross Blob at top of numeral. Uniform base to numeral with sloped end. Cross (+) at top of impression.
3a		Number 3 in cross Blob at bottom of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression. A clear cross at the top of the impression Impressions of this number are usually without the cross
3b	Known used on cover in conjunction with number 1 Known used on cover in conjunction with number 9	Number 3 in cross Blob at bottom of numeral. No cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843 Earliest known use 16^th March 1843
4a		Number 4 in cross Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 23^rd March 1843 Earliest known use 21^st March 1843 Thinner numeral and the cross higher than normal This may be a re-cut
4b		Number 4 in cross Cross (+) at top of impression. Cross bar to numeral tapered. (getting wider to the right).
5a	Known on 1^d Embossed Postal stationary	Number 5 in cross Blob at bottom of numeral. Short top arm to numeral Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 23^rd March 1843
5b		Number 5 in cross Blob at bottom of numeral. Short top arm to numeral No cross (+) at top of impression. It has been suggested that this is in fact a 3 in cross but I am not totally convinced of this as there is also an example on a two-pence blue Click Here to see both images together for comparrision
6a		Number 6 in cross Blob at top of numeral. Straight back to numeral Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 23^rd March 1843
6b		Number 6 in cross Blob at top of numeral. Curved back to numeral Cross (+) at top of impression.
6c		Number 6 in cross Blob at top of numeral. Curved back to numeral No cross (+) at top of impression. This item was recorded in the PJGB vol 77 No. 1 of March 1967 It is on a cover dated the 2^nd February 1844 and was thought to indicate that a new obliterator was brought into use shortly before the introduction of the numeral type.
7a	Known on 1^d Blacks Known on 1^d Mulready	Number 7 in cross Serif at top of numeral. Uniform thickness top arm to numeral Verticial arm thickens towards the base. Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843 Latest known use 7^th May 1844
7b		Number 7 in cross Serif at top of numeral. Uniform thickness to top arm to numeral Verticial arm thickens towards the base. (Thicker than type 7a). Cross (+) at top of impression.
7c	Known on 2^d Blues	Number 7 in cross Serif at top of numeral. Uniform thickness to top arm to numeral Verticial arm thickens towards the base. (Thinner than type 7a). Cross (+) at top of impression.
7d		Number 7 in cross Serif at top of numeral. Scrolled top arm to numeral Verticial arm thickens towards the base. Cross (+) at top of impression.
7e		Number 7 in cross No serif at top of numeral. Uniform thickness to top arm to numeral Verticial arm thickens towards the base. (Thinner than type 7b). Cross (+) at top of impression.
7f		Number 7 in cross No serif at top of numeral. Uniform thickness to top and verticial arm of numeral Verticial arm curves towards the base. Cross (+) at top of impression.
8a		Number 8 in cross Smaller loop at top of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843 Latest known use 14^th May 1844
8b		Number 8 in cross Smaller loop at top of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression. Thinner outline to numeral Bottom part on numeral rather squat
8c		Number 8 in cross Smaller loop at top of numeral. Probably a cross (+) at the top of the impression. Mis-shaped numeral Mis-placed to the right Inner cross also appears distorted
9a	Known on 1^d Mulready Known used on cover in conjunction with number 3	Number 9 in cross Straight back to numeral. Large loop to top of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843
9b		Number 9 in cross Straight back to numeral. Large loop to top of numeral. Cross (+) at top of impression. Generally the numeral is of the same appearance as in type 9a but appears twisted and mis-placed
10a	Known on 1^d Blacks Known on 2^d Blues Known on 1^d Mulready	Number 10 in cross Flat serif to top of numeral 1. Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843
10b		Number 10 in cross No serif to top of numeral 1. The 0 in the numeral is split with the right side misplaced downwards. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843
11a		Number 11 in cross Flat serif to top of numerals. Cross (+) at top of impression. Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843
11b		Number 11 in cross Flat serif to top of numerals. Cross (+) at top of impression. Note The left numeral appears to be larger than the right.
12a	Known on 2^d Blues	Number 12 in cross Blob at top of numeral 2. Scrolled base to numeral 2. Cross (+) at top of impression Delivered (Re Post Office Records) on the 1^st April 1843
12b	Known on 2^d Blues Known used on a block of 4 in conjunction with number 1	Number 12 in cross Blob at top of numeral 2. Sloping base to numeral 2. Cross (+) at top of impression We believe this to be an inking variation of type 12a
12c		Number 12 in cross Blob at top of numeral 2. Uniform base to numeral 2 with sloped end. Cross (+) at top of impression

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