Description – PM type 8 (JC-MN-RF) diamond with lines running horizontally above/below and vertically at left and right of rectangular numeral inset – in effect a modification of type 5. Usually it has 4 diminishing lines. Considered ommon.

In use in the Northern postal sub-region, including Punjab, United Provinces, and the Sind. Single type (Martin type 8 E - Renouf experimental) seen in NWP postal sub-region earliest recorded type 8 date April 1858, type 8a-c 17th January 1860. Some instances are also found in Bombay and Central Province postal sub-regions. Primarily in use between 1858-66, yet stray examples are found as late as 1873 (Martin notes single type until 1872). This entire group of PMs has a quite complex array of varieties. 

PM subtype 8a – (JC) diamond with only lines running horizontally above/below and vertically at left and right of a less well-defined rectangular numeral inset usually smaller neater 6mm figures – Considered common.

PM subtype 8b – (JC) diamond with 5 well-defined lines running horizontally above/below and vertically at left and right of rectangular numeral inset thinner figures – Considered common 

Examples seen in duplex form in this collection.

 

PM subtype 8c – (JC) square numeral inset with only 3 thicker bars and clunky figure font – Considered common.

Similar in duplex examples seen in this collection. Other extremely rare variations of this type are found with letter and numerals such as C (Cashmire PO), DP (District Post), DR (District registration), FF (Abyssinia Field Force)

 

PM subtype 8d-e – (JC) type 8D (MN) duplex types thicker design generally with irregular octagon inset, and cruder quirky figures. Martin grouped as 8D, Cooper differentiated slight differences between the two. In use Punjab postal sub-region, earliest recorded date 29th April 1861. 

Examples in this collection are seen between 1862-67, and a few violet-blue inked variations. Both similar types are scarce and at least very scarce in violet-blue. A good number of singles stamps are found with various PO numbers.

PM subtype 8f – (JC) unusual variety with rectangle divided and capital letter U above numeral. Martin notes instances in Punjab between 1867-73. Cooper mentions some numbers emanate from Kashmir State. Considered very scarce.

PM subtype 8g – (JC) the distinctive feature of this single type is the surrounding outer lines considered an experimental type. Considered extremely rare. 

PM subtype 8h – (JC) type 31 (MN) highly unusual vertically elongated diamond inset divided DP (District Post) below numeral – Martin records number 50 Chindwara central Provinces? One recorded date is 9th July 1873. Considered extremely scarce. 

PM subtype 8j – (JC) single diamond variation solid shading instead of bars. Counter-parts to this design are seen in type 4, 6, and 7, with solid instead of bars or lines outside numeral inset. Extremely scarce. A smudged Allahabad PO 23 1862 example is noted in this collection 

Other variations – (JC) yet more lettered variations exist with A/124 Aden, HQ (Army Headquarters) without numerals, GG (Governor General’s camp) Generally Scarce or Very scarce