Double Oval Cancels

I have saw a number of double oval Chicago cancels on 3 cent Washington Franklins circa 1909/1910. I assume that because of the 3 cent rate the envelope was too thick for a machine cancel and had to be handstamped.

My question is what is the significance of the numbers in the center oval ?

The "double oval cancel" is correctly identifed as a PPO (parcel post oval) postmark. As the reference goes, they were handstamps primarily used for parcel post, registered mail, special delivery, etc., back in the day. There are many variants that were used. Some have no words or letters at all (mute postmark) and others have the city and state names. Still others have a letter in the center, often defining the Postal Station or Branch where the postmark was used. Still others have the words "REG" (registered), etc., in the center of the oval.

As for the numbers, in the case of a large post office location such as Chicago, the numbers most likely identify the postal clerk or window where the piece was presented for mailing.

Thank You wt1 !


Granted I have only saw a limited number of examples but I've not saw the same number repeat itself. Those that I have saw range from numbers 59 to 87 in the inner oval with CHICAGO ILL in the outer oval. Pretty sure they were all mailed by the same company.

I am wondering if regular postage stamps with the oval (registered, etc.) postmark are more desirable/valuable, or less? Postally used is postally used, or not? I have an opportunity to purchase a very nice Canadian $1 stamp (Mt. Edith)at a very good price. However, it has the thick double oval postmark (at the bottom third of the stamp and nicely imprinted). Might this be the reason for the favorable price?

Fancy cancels normally add to the value. Heavy, ugly, obliterating cancels seriously depress the value. Scott catalog (and probably most stamp catalogs) value used stamps with light, clean cancels that do not seriously impede viewing of the stamp image. Cancel collectors, however, have a different set of requirements.

Thank you jobi01, that helps me make my decision. The postmark does not impede viewing the stamp image and I consider it to be a handsome one even though a bit heavy (compared to regular first class cancels).