Commercial Overprint Society of Great Britain

Vol. 1 No. 7; January 1, 2004

National Westminster Bank

by Michael Behm

The title of this piece is National Westminster Bank, but we are really interested in some of the banks that amalgamated to form that bank—those being the banks that used commercial overprints.

A Brief Overview of the Bank's History

Here is an abridged look at the history of the National Westminster Bank. Only some of the banks that were to make up the National Westminster Bank were commercial overprint users. This is their story.

London & County Banking Co. established in London in 1836. London & Westminster Bank established in London in 1834. National Provincial Bank established 1833.
Adopted limited liability in 1880 as London & Westminster Bank Ltd.
Banks amalgamate as London County & Westminster Bank in 1909.
Banks amalgamate with Parr's Bank as
London County Westminster & Parr's Bank in 1918.
Bank title abbreviated to Westminster Bank Limited in 1923.
Banks announce merger in 1968 as National Westminster Bank, effective 1970.

London & County Bank

The London & County Bank used overprints on revenue stamps. There are three main patterns:

  • LONDON & COUNTY / bank at the top of the stamp
  • London & County / bank at the top of the stamp
  • LONDON & COUNTY / bank in the middle of the stamp.

Here are some examples of the second design. There are small differences in the word "Bank".

London & County Banking Company Limited

There are at least three main patterns for this bank:

  • LONDON / & COUNTY / BANKING / COMPy., Ltd (1, below)
  • LONDON / & COUNTY / BANKING / COMPY., Ltd. (2, below)
  • LONDON & COUNTY / BANKING COMPANY, / LIMITED.

London County & Westminster Bank Limited

The London County & Westminster Bank has two significant patterns:

  • LONDON COUNTY / AND / WESTMINSTER / BANK LIMITED.
  • LONDON COUNTY / & WESTMINSTER BANK / LIMITED



(Click for a larger image.)

London County Westminster & Parr's Bank Limited

The London County Westminster & Parr's Bank Limited has two patterns, one of which is for its Foreign Branch:

  • LONDON COUNTY / WESTMINSTER & / PARR'S BANK LTD.
  • LONDON COUNTY / WESTMINSTER & / PARR'S BANK LTD. / FOREIGN BRANCH.

Westminster Bank Limited

After five years as London County Westminster & Parr's Bank Limited, the bank's name was simplified to Westminster Bank Limited. This entity is believed to have used commercial overprints until 1971, given that there are overprints known on SG 726 and 727.

These are the reported patterns:

  • WESTMINSTER BANK / LIMITED.
  • WESTMINSTER BANK / LIMITED. / FOREIGN BRANCH.
  • WESTMINSTER BANK / LIMITED / FOREIGN BRANCH (not shown below)
  • WESTMINSTER / BANK LTD. / FBO
  • WESTMINSTER / BANK LTD. / O'SEAS

National Provincial Bank Limited

The National Provincial Bank used a variety of overprint styles, most of which are reported on a single issue each.

  • NAT. PRO. BK. Ld. (vertical)
  • NAT. PRO. BK. Ld. (horizontal)
  • NATIONAL PROVINCIAL / BANK LIMITED
  • FOR / NATIONAL PROVINCIAL / BANK LIMITED
  • NATIONAL PROVINCIAL / bank limited
  • NATIONAL PROVINCIAL / BANK LIMITED.
  • National Provincial / Bank Limited


Resources


Send comments or questions to mjbehm@kw.igs.net