Description - PM type 15 (JC) type 22 (MN) urban duplex with quite small circumference left side, and vertical oval of horizontal bars well-defined serif numeral, and larger 1 without clear inset. 

Bombay City only PM – examples in this collection date between 4th April 1871- June 73 

PM subtype 15a – (JC) type 22a (MN) urban duplex with vertically pointing elliptical shape finer to thicker horizontal bars, within many variations of letter denoting north, south, east, west, central – denoting various districts or suburbs within Bombay city. 

Cooper noted usage between 1869-73, and observed a similarity with contemporary GB PM types. This duplex does not have the year present so extent of usage can be difficult to discern. Some types are considered common, others Cooper considered very scarce, although which ones remain unclear? Martin recorded an earlier date instance from 1868 (p.111), and listed only thirteen sub-locations within the city, despite the many letter – numeral combinations encountered?! 

SW-2 – Market

SE-3 – Mandvi

WC-4 – Gurgaum

EC-5 – Oomercary

E-6 – Mazagaon 

W-7 – Malabar Hill 

C-8 – Bycullia 

C-9 – Parcel 

S-10 – Colaba 

The PM letters do approximate to geographical city locations, i.e. Mazagaon is on the east side of City peninsular tip.

It is telling almost all are found within this collection, suggesting the instances recorded by Martin, are the same as in this Collection. A C-8 example dates as late as 25th March 1881!

 

PM subtype 15b – (JC) type 22b (MN) urban duplex from Bombay, with small or large oval – distinguishing feature notably fine horizontal line with numeral inset only. Martin records only four numbers (p.111).

10 – Colaba 

11 – Wellington Pier R.H opened 1873

12 – Boree Bunder R.O. opened February 1878

13 – Grant Road R.O. opened June 1879 

Three instances of which can be found on a single page in this wonderful collection! Cooper consider common. 

PM subtype 15 variation - Bombay City

PM subtype 15c – (JC) type 25 (MN) urban Calcutta duplex with vertically orientated oval with fines horizontal bars inset with serif ‘C’ and Bow Bazar district. Martin seems to perhaps correctly combine this 15c, where C probably stands for Central Bow Bazar No:5 District, with JC type 15d – as one of ten combinations. (see below)

An example in blue ink is noted within this collection dates to 16th February 1872. Found in various sub-shades of blue ink, Cooper considered scarce.  

PM subtype 15d – (JC) type 25 (MN) similar or same urban duplex Calcutta type as 15c, except with two letter separated by four bars N=C, or other single letters N or S, denoting north, south, east, west, central – Districts or suburbs of Calcutta City. Martin list various (p.111), number 1-10 all attributed, including type 15c No: 5. 

N – No: 1 Baug Bazar 

NE – No: 2 Simla 

NW – No:3 Hautkola

NC – No: 4 Jorasanko 

C – No: 5 Bow Bazar 

EC – No: 6 Napit Bazar 

SC – No: 7 Wellesley Street

S – No: 8 Loudon Street 

SE – No: 9 Bhowaneepore 

SW – No: 10 Kidderpore

Letters were nominated by April 1867, and offices remained from July 1869 until April 1874, except WC closed before April 1868. Cooper notes all 15d examples (note also 15c example in this collection) found in blue inks, considered very scarce.

Various recorded instances seem present in this collection, in pairs and on cover. One is noted dating 10th November 1871 – A few others during 1873.

PM subtype 15e – (JC) types 17e (MN-RF) singular, or accompanied by circular – Rectangular of 9 thick bars, with numeral 1 at left widely separated by letters at right. I have seen letters C or S – Separated circular on same cover seen 1==D. 

Martin seems to date these in use between 1874-77, and seems vague about how the letter – a few number codes were reallocated during this period, most presumed the same as prior type 25 (MN-RF). Copper notes examples are considered extremely scarce. 

Few instances are found in this collection – year dates seem uncertain, although 

Type 15f (MN-RF) described by Renouf as above with 9 thick bars, but with added bars above/below central line. Martin notes usage from 1st January 1878. Some below after 10th are deduced.

A – Allipore

N – Baug Bazar

E – Baliagatcha

S – Bhowanipore 

C – Bow Bazar

WC – Dhurmtolla

W – Garden Reach 

NW – Hautkolla 

NC - Jorasanko

SC – Kidderpore 

(SE) – Louden Street

(EC) – Napit Bazar

(NE) – Simla

(SC) – Wellesley Street 

Yet more places were added later. No obvious examples are seen in this collection.