Private Cancelations?

From the thread https://goscf.com/t/10539, comes photos of plate blocks used to mail a box of plate block album pages from Fredcdobbs to me this week.

Judging by the protective plastic sheet covering the canceled stamps (removed by me), I would guess Fred has his own, private cancellation with which to pre-cancel these stamps. Thank you for the lovely stamps as well as album pages!

Brian

I found out that my local PO Personnel will hand stamp in red anything you bring to the window if you ask for a hand stamp, though they won't guarantee that it won't be later machine stamped again.

Those are NOT private cancellations or precancels. In fact, Monty's Hallmark in Phoenix, AZ is a USPS CPU (Contract Postal Unit) and therefore are authorized to have a cancellation/postmark device and serve in the capacity as a post office for most USPS services. Apparently, Phoenix, AZ has several so-called "CPU's" in operation. Here's a further explanation:

http://www.usps.com/suppliers/howto...stalunit.htm

As for Monty's Hallmark, here's the USPS listing for that Contract Postal Unit location:

http://usps.whitepages.com/service/...x-az-1442327

Even still, they are very nice cancellations on plate blocks of stamps that will be a fine collectible for you.

Thanks for the info, wt1.

I'm not the least bit disappointed they are not private cancellations. The CDSs are still unusual, esp on a parcel. Fred must have gone out of his way to make sure these stamps were protected once canceled as they were covered with a plastic sheet, carefully taped in place so as not to disturb the stamps. They will make a fine addition to my newly acquired plate block album!

Brian

I am somewhat surprised that the USPS does not object to covering the stamps with plastic after cancellation. Just sounds like a practice that some petty bureaucrat would say no to.

As long as the stamps are cancelled, I don't think the USPS sees a package wrapped in plastic as a problem. Actually, the USPS does it themselves when mailing back First Day Covers, as they enclose them in cellophane with a cardboard backing so as to avoid any unwanted postal markings on the collectible.

Nice package and glad you like it, I should send one to myself. CPU's are the best secret for postal duty, I live less than a mile from this one. I live 2 miles from a main PO and only go there to pick up signature required deliveries. Big city PO's can be a nightmare. The staff at Monty's hand cancels for me and allows me to cover with plastic should I ask. The time savings are huge as well.