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The
The Maltese Cross

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Introduction
The 4 basic types of cross      Scotland distinctive crosses      Ireland distinctive crosses      England distinctive crosses
London distinctive crosses

	The Maltese Cross, as first issued, was a mass produced item of a standard pattern. This type was in standard use throughout England, Ireland and Wales. All of these were made in London and issued during April and May 1840.
	The standard type first issued in Scotland. These were made north of the border. There were two basic types of Scottish cross, one with the small centre, (illustrated left), and another with a larger centre.
.	The necessity for additional cancellors, resulted in the almost general issue of the following types. These were mainly confined to the North of England and the Midlands.
	Sources detail this as being for the North of England and the Midlands. We believe this to be mainly confined to the Midlands.
	Sources detail this as being for the North of England and the Midlands. We believe this to be mainly confined to the North of England.

For further reference see also

1. The Tallan collection of Penny Black postage stamps
2. The Tallan collection of Two Pence Blue postage stamps
3. The I T Pickering collection of Maltese Cross postmarks
4. The Penny Black illustraded guide
5. The Two Pence Blue illustrated guide
6. The VR official Penny Black illustrated guide
7. The numbered maltese crosses of the London chief office