Baffling UK Cover - A Sign Of The Times?

I find myself baffled by the cancellations on a parcel cover that arrived today from the UK. Every stamp was cancelled in the following manner:



Detail:



Perhaps one day philatelists will be discussing the famous star and circle pen cancels of 2011!

The 'artist' could have at least signed his work.

I received an auction shipment two weeks ago - and the postage was paid with a full stamp booklet - very nice - and brutally pen cancelled. Broke my heart.

But could these be the curiosities/rareties of the future?

I 100 years, perhaps, yes.

I would not rule out that these could be either curiosities/rarities. Although curiosities might be a greater probability. It seems to me that the entire cover (front at least) would need to be preserved. The negative to becoming either is that it would be easy for anyone to fake a similar cancel. Part of what makes 19th century pen/manuscript cancels collectible is the type of ink and pens used to cancel the stamps.

Is there any chance that your local post office applied a dated cancel when they received it?

Some clerk had "way too much" time on his hands!

'Is there any chance that your local post office applied a dated cancel when they received it?'

There are no cancels of any kind, other than these applied by pen.

I've decided to preserve the cover intact because it really is very strange.

Perhaps I should auction it here for those who have an eye on posterity!

The Marker Monkey has been going to Art School after work ...

I've received 4-5 different mailings from the UK and not a single one had any cancel what so ever. Maybe this is an advancement maybe they could add smiley faces next time. (no offense intended to anyone from the UK :)

I'm surprised the postal clerk responsible had enough time to 'do' each stamp invidivually.

No doubt got paid for overtime.

hehe..the marker monkey is now very artistic

Nah, they are just following evolution and evolving.

1) They came from the UK.

2) A lot of crop circles etc were reported from the UK.

3) You have just entered The Twilight Zone!

On a serious note, just what constitutes an official post office-applied cancel?

Is there an agreed on international policy for cancels?

Inquiring minds want to know.