ppl. a. [UN-1 8. Cf. MDa. ustampet.]
1. Not crushed by stamping.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., II. 46. Malaghie reasons … either stampt or unstampt.
1595. R. Southwell, Mæoniæ, Christ’s Bloody Sweat, 3. Sweete oliue, grape of blisse,… vnstampt, vntoucht of presse.
1648. Hexham, II. Ongestooten Peper, Vnstamped Pepper.
2. Not marked by stamping; not stamped with a device or official mark: a. Of metals.
1622. Strange Accid., in Harl. Misc. (1808), I. 26/2. Silver of three sorts, all unstamped.
a. 1643. Godolphin, Sonn. fr. Harl. MS., 25. Like unstamped gold I weigh each grate.
1767. Curiosities of London, 71. Putting in the unstamped piece with his forefinger and thumb.
1801. Farmer’s Mag., 196. A bit of unstamped bullion.
1853. Trench, Proverbs, 15. The same advantage … which … has the recognised coin of the realm over the rude unstamped ore.
b. Of paper or publications.
1809. R. Langford, Introd. Trade, 13. Country Bankers can … issue bills of exchange on unstamped paper.
1855. Instructions to Postmasters, June. Unstamped Publications … can be forwarded … under the regulations of the Book Post.
1861. Sat. Rev., 23 Nov., 532. So all the benefits of a free press, unstamped, unexcised, may be altogether thrown away.
3. Not having a stamp affixed.
1892. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Slave of Lamp, xxi. Posting an unstamped letter addressed to England.
