A Few Of My Favorite Fancy Cancels

Since folks are posting their favorite classics, here are some of my favorites - with cancels.

Beautiful. I had never considered collecting fancy cancels until I saw them on this post. I had always been after the stamp vs. the cancel.

From the classic stamp era through the 1880's (and some later, with even a fancy "boom time" again in the 1920s-30s primarily on registered covers), there are many cancels that are known to originate from only one place, and there are reference works, both general and more focused, that cover these. It was a neat way for postmasters and clerks to be creative, have fun and sometimes illuminate details about their town or events.

Awhile ago, I put together a simple 1-frame exhibit on the 3c Civil War issue fancy cancels. I may have enough now for a 2 or 3 frame, but it will probably be some time before I attempt it again.

Shannon, I hope you get the "bug" to start collecting these!

Cheers,

Dave

Those are really good strikes Dave. Nice show! That Titusville cover is particularly sweet, tied by a single point, but tied and the rest of the strike on the stamp. Mmmmwah!

Thanks, essayk!

That's one important thing I learned along the way - that if on cover, it's best to have it tied to help authenticate it's origin on the cover and to identify the cancel source. Of course that's not enough, as crooks try to fake the really desirable ones. I have some great covers with fancy cancels that I KNOW are from the city/town, but since the stamps aren't tied, there's no way to guarantee the stamp originated on the cover...

-dave

You have to donate, trade or sell me that first #65 as it's a Jersey Shore Pa. Star Cancellation and would be wonderful addition to my hometown collection! :)

If I am looking for another home for it sometime in the future, I'll be sure to let you know!

PLEASE keep me in mind. I pay well for such items.. Or if your looking for something inparticular ask and maybe a trade could happen...you got my adrenaline up for the day with this post..I almost fell off the couch when I seen it! OK then, thank you. Very sincerely - Jeff
PS
you should do a site search on Jersey Shore, Pa. and see the scope of my hometown postal history collection!

Titusville covers...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TITUSVILLE-...em5b021d727d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800s-Titus...em5666dcd73a

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1899-Mourni...em4620f997e8

http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Postal-H...em4182892c8e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Titusville-...em3cbeb77adb

I_Love_Stamps - Very glad to understand the scope of your Jersey Shore interest - I will definitely look up your hometown postal history collection! I'm not ready to sell/trade that stamp yet, but I really will look you up when I am.

Just so you know I only half kidding about you parting with it but I just wanted you to know where the cancel came from and if for some reason you ever would part with it please do contact me. You probably weren't familiar with my jovial sense of humor then...lol It is a decent example but I mainly collect them on cover. Thanks though and I apologize for sounding "pushy"...haha