LONDON & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY (L&NWR): 1873 Precedent Class 2-4-0 Hardwicke Full Train Stamp Sheet
A GREAT gift idea for the Locomotive & LNWR Railway Enthusiast (as well as Stamp Collector) and ideal for framing. A 22.5 x 32.7 cms Complete Sheet of 50 Stamps of the 1873 Precedent "Hardwicke" Locomotive of F.W. Webb, comprising 25 se-tenant pairs of two genuine 1984 MINT/UNUSED $2.50 stamps from Union Island, Grenadines of St Vincent in the West Indies (Issued 18th December 1984). The first stamp illustrates the technical / plan drawings and the second stamp shows the locomotive at work. The scans below show (i) a close up of the stamps and (ii) the complete sheet. The stamps are 33 years old but are in pristine unmounted mint condition. The sheet would make an ideal present for the locomotive enthusiast and is ideal for framing.
In the course of what is now remembered as the "Great Railway Race to the North" in 1895, Hardwicke ran from Crewe to Carlisle at an average speed of 67 mph from start to stop. No British locomotive had previously attained such an average speed. The Webb Precedents were relatively orthodox 2-4-0s which, in typical LNWR fashion, could stand up to any amount of hard work. 90 Precedent locomotives were built, while 80 survived to be absorbed into the LMS in 1923, while HARDWICKE was later preserved as part of the National Collection at the NRM in York.
A Pretty Unique Item of L&NWR and Hardwicke Memorabilia!
Between 1983 and 1987 the Islands of the British Commonwealth collaboratively produced an Omnibus issue of postage stamps depicting famous and historic locomotives. I will be offering about 300 other Locomotive Stamp Sheets in my Other eBay Auctions over the coming weeks. Many more are also in stock. Please check out my eBay Shop for any specific Locomotive Stamp Sheet Requests.
These stamps are genuine and were recognised and used as valid postal currency for the transport of mail throughout the world. All these stamps have been officially catalogued by Scott, Michel, Yvert et Tellier, Unificato, Stanley Gibbons, and Domfil. The stamps were on sale in Post Offices in the individual countries of origin for at least 90 days following issue. The stamps were also made available through the Crown / Commonwealth Agents until their withdrawal in 1990.
