Star Fancy Cancel

Rooting through some large boxes of US stamps I got from my club recently, I've pulled out a bunch of these 1890s varieties (as well as some early 20th century Franklins and Washingtons) to study and categorize in further detail later.
But this #252 Type III, with it's heavy star cancel really caught my eye.



When I see these carved cork cancels, I always envision some old time postmaster taking out his pen knife and whittling away on a slow day.

Jamesw

Don't knock it, some did - really <G>

Some are quite fancy and because the majority are made of 'cork' they would soon break down with wear. Some can be quite scarce. One example are the different types of "MS" corks used on the Muskoka steamers.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Larry, wasn't knocking it. Was picturing myself on the job. Call it 'envy'

Jamesw, you were just daydreaming? Well, as far as stmps was concerned, in a way it was much better back then. Not a flood of new issues every other day! I have nothing against new issues, but the stampprograms of most countries are getting ridiculous!

There is one quite valuable "star" cancel, but it is machine-struck, not carved out. In any Scott U.S. Specialized Catalog, see the note after #184 about "Glen Allen, Virginia."

Peter, that's why I don't collect past 1960.

That's pretty neat James! I'm actually keeping an eye out for a rather special star cork cancel. It's a solid star with a negative O in the center. It's from my hometown Jersey Shore Pa.

Jamesw

I know what you mean by the envy part

I saw an auction a couple of years ago listing some local corks and the prices were phenominal. Needless to say, I didn't win the majority of them, but, did get one dandy one with the initials of the first postmaster of the post office of Port Carling.

Chimo

Bujutsu

James did you ever see the Waterbury fancy cancels? Check these out! http://www.theswedishtiger.com/1861water.html

Those are pretty cool, Jeff! There was a postmaster with a good eye.

I have seen an elephant on these fancy cork cancellations.

This could be a chance to convert someone to collecting Guatemala ! Most of my fancy cancels are in mounts and I did not want to pull them..here are a few that I can rehinge back onto the pages !!

Jamesw

Here is a nice 'cork' cancellation from Morpeth, Ontario. It is on a postcard from the Muskoka area but was used from Morpeth, which is in Kent County. Still a nice cancel nonetheless <G>

it is similar to a crossroads type but they are in multiple.

Chimo

Bujutsu