New Happy Holidays Spray-On Cancellations

I think I can make out "va 222", but can make no sense out of what comes before that.

Peter

I'd agree it's Virginia (VA) but I don't think the three digit ZIP prefix is 222 as that would be Arlington, VA, and I certainly can't make it out from that spray-on imprint.

Maybe Dulles (VA) 226?

If it's of any help, here's the spray-on imprint again:



And the possible USPS mailing facility choices based in Virginia:



Any other ideas? Or do we just consider it indecipherable?

I still thinks its the 220 NO VA, could be wrong though

Sorry for the double post, but just finally got through yesterday's mail. Thankfully, I received two nearly immaculate cancels today. One was dated Dec 6 from Evansville, IN. The other Dec 5 from Tampa, FL. They are absolutely gorgeous. Of course, as luck would have it, they are both on Four Flags stamps. I can't wait to get a good one of these on a Santa & Sleigh stamp

I think the shape-shifting one posted above is NO VA 220. Do we know what zip code it was sent from?

I want one of these cancels... Anyone want to send me an envelope? lol.

How is the 2012 Santa cancellation different from the 2011 one?

Sportfanatic1 is correct -- it is 220 Northern Virginia. Both were sent from addresses on my street in 22192 and I imagine they were picked up curbside by our mailman.

It doesn't look as if there is any difference! That is to be expected from a cash-strapped agency such as the USPS, I suppose. It's just that for 2012, the spray-on postmark is very appropriate for the Santa & Sleigh stamp, which obviously was not available in 2011.

It's too bad the USPS doesn't publish to the stamp collecting community the various slogan cancels they put into use and the periods of that use.

It just leaves us with some detective work

I can't win for trying!

Here are two postmarks from Christmas Cards received today:



The top one is nearly indecipherable, but I believe it is Westchester (County), NY for 07 DEC 2012, with a Happy Holidays Santa & Sleigh postmark but on last year's Madonna and Child stamp.

I did receive the Santa & Sleigh stamp on a Christmas card, too, from Pittsburgh, PA on 07 DEC 2012, and with a very readable postmark, but alas no Happy Holidays slogan!

I just can't seem to get the Santa & Sleigh postmark on a Santa & Sleigh stamp!

Oh well, at least the postmarks represent the 71st anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.

A very clear well done spray cancel has got to be the future's high value cancel. They seem to be quite rare. As for the majority of ugly unreadable spray cancels, my opinion is "No thanks" I'll take a pen cancel any day.

Just received this Christmas card from my dentist (with what he makes off of us, we should get a fruit basket!). Not only a Santa spray on cancel, but it's a 12 12 12 date as well.



Unfortunately postmarked at 1:08pm. An hour and eight minutes from being a 12 12 12 12!

wt1, hang in there, you may get a readable one yet! I had not really seen a good example until the other day. All the other ones I have of the North Metro GA area ( Atlanta ) so far have been awful, but now I have a pretty one on my favorite stamp, the Holy Family.
If you want it, it is yours for the asking!

Peter

Thanks for the offer, but I have plenty of the Holy Family stamps. I just haven't been able to get a Santa & Sleigh Stamp with a legible Santa & Sleigh postmark ... as you suggest, it will probably come eventually as there's still a couple of week's mail yet to come before the postmark will be retired for this season.

Hang in there wt1 -- if not this year, then maybe you'll get one in 2013 (provided, of course, that the USPS is still in business).

I on the other hand appear to have hit the jackpot. Not only a relatively clean spray-on but also a clear, concise pen cancel. I'm going to have to start buying lottery tickets.