The registration sheets for the Telegraphs were raided several times between 1883 and 1914:
The First Twelve
In 1883 twelve stamps were removed from each registration sheet under authority 3140 S/83. 12 stamps x 41 sheets (not 42 sheets, as 3d plate 1 was missed) for a total of 492 telegraph stamps. On the low values these were stamps AA-AL or TA-TL. This was initiated by a request from the Canadian Government (for the Library of the Canadian Parliament). They are now all singles, most of these, if not all, found their way to collectors. Two copies of each postage stamp were supplied as requested, but no telegraph stamps went to Canada.
The Second Twelve
In 1887 twelve stamps were removed under authority 8215 S/87. This time only one sheet of each value was selected, 12 stamps x 11 sheets: (½d pl5, 1d pl5, 3d Cr pl4, 4d pl2, 6d Cr pl2, 1s Cr pl12, 3s Cr pl1, 5s pl3, 10s, £1, and £5) for a total of 132 stamps. On the low values these were usually the adjacent row to those taken in 1883, BA-BL or SA-SL. On the high values the pattern is less obvious, but the 1887 twelve contain multiples, the 1883 twelve are all singles. This was initiated by a request from the Reichspostmuseum in Berlin. As with the first twelve, all found their way to collectors.
The Next Four
The next four were all singles, usually from the adjacent row to those above.
In 1889 Pearson Hill (son of Sir Rowland Hill) requested sets of obsolete telegraph and receipt stamps. These were removed under authority 2648 S/89, usually the first in the row. This set has gum with registration dates written in pencil on the reverse. 1s plate 12 on Crown, 3s on Crown were missed, for a total of 40 stamps.
In 1890 a single stamp was removed from each sheet under authority 15887 C/90, usually the second stamp in the row. These were for the Board of Inland Revenue exhibit in 1890. The stamps were mounted on large exhibition cards which are now in the Postal Museum. 1s plate 12 on Crown, 3s on Crown, 3d plate 1 were missed, for a total of 39 stamps.
In 1893 a single stamp was removed from each sheet under authority 4503 S/93, usually the third stamp in the row. These were for the Duke of York (later King George V). This set has no gum and have a washed-out appearance. The £1 is mounted on card with an Inland Revenue crest, perhaps the other values were once similarly mounted. 42 stamps.
In 1898 a single stamp was removed from each sheet under authority 1060 S/98, usually the fourth stamp in the row. These were to form a complete set of specimens for the Post Office (by request of the Postmaster General) and all 42 are now in an album (Vol.AI.5) in the Postal Museum.
The Corners for the King
In 1914 a corner plate number stamp was removed from each sheet under authority 808 S/1914. These were for King George V. For sheets where the plate number was not by the corner stamp (½d and 1d) a corner pair was taken, and also for some reason a pair from 3d Crown pl5. 35 singles and 7 pairs, for a total of 49 stamps.
Summary
| Year | Authority | Taken | Institution | Private | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 | 3140 S/83 | 492 | 196 | 264 | 32 |
| 1887 | 8215 S/87 | 132 | 41 | 57 | 34 |
| 1889 | 2648 S/89 | 40 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| 1890 | 15887 C/90 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 0 |
| 1893 | 4503 S/93 | 42 | 6 | 36 | 0 |
| 1898 | 1060 S/98 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 0 |
| 1914 | 808 S/1914 | 49 | 49 | 0 | 0 |
| † | (3d) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ‡ | (5s) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 840 | 375 | 399 | 66 |
† The missed removal for the 3d plate 1 in 1883 has led to this being a major anomaly in telegraphs imprimatur removals as early collectors and recipients of sets noticed its absence. Somehow the Earl of Crawford acquired AL, which now resides in the Royal Philatelic Collection, and Reginald M Phillips acquired BI which is now in the Phillips Collection in the Postal Museum.
‡ There exists a pair of 5s plate 1 lettered EH-EI. From the reconstructions there is no doubt they are imprimaturs. It is likely they became detached from the sheet at the 1893 removal and were mislaid or removed from the guard book at this time as one should have been used for the 1898 authority. They somehow became the property of Leonard Hollingsworth Clark (IR Stamping Department) and were sold in 1946.
Wright & Creeke
The registration sheets for postage stamps were transferred from the Board of Inland Revenue to the Post Office in 1914. The registration sheets for telegraph stamps were not included in this transfer, presumably because they were not considered postage stamps, they remained at Somerset House. Then in 1936, to reduce the burden of auditing, most old registration sheets, including all of the telegraph sheets, were destroyed by burning.
Wright and Creeke inspected the registration sheets at the end of the 19th century and gave us the best description available, presenting their results as follows (pp. 260-261):