Prior to that, from 1 September 1918 until 1956, the duty was 2d and the cheques were marked with a blue oval stamp. You can find some cheques which were issued (and therefore stamped) before 1.9.1918 but used after 1.9.1918 with the original red oval plus a "penny red" postage stamp to make up the duty to 2d.

Before 1918 the duty was 1d and marked with a red oval or uninked oval stamp - I think uninked stopped in c1880.
http://boards.fool.co.uk/stamp-duty-on-bank-cheques-8303989....

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2011-02-05 17:35:37 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Vai depender da época em que o livro foi escrito mas, no passado, os cheques eram selados com valores, como o selo de postagem "penny red".