1978 MAIL FROM BARNSLEY, UNDERPAID WITH 7P MACHIN USED IN LIEU OF POSTAGE DUE. Window envelope (219 x 109) from the National Coal Board HQ at Barnsley with 7p meter mark BARNSLEY 18 IX 78 with advert "Come home to a real fire", postage underpaid with boxed "14 TO PAY..." with 7p Machin cancelled GRIMETHORPE/BARNSLEY.SOUTH YORKSHIRE cds 22 SP 78. Apparently the N.C.B. sent out a questionnaire to pensioners and widows with intended return paid envelope, which was actually omitted and 300 returns were sent back unpaid. The local post office consulted the authorities what to do and instead of the normal double charge for underpaid mail (in this case 14p) an agreement of 7p per letter was settled upon. There were not enough postage dues available so a number of 7p Machins were used. Very unusual and very scarce. (Ref 111503).
