Unknown Cancel

Does anyone know what this cancel is about.



Thanks in advance,

A wild guess here, but since it is weak at the base of its letters, possibly part of the word FOR(EIGN)???

Thanks, you might be correct. I hadn't considered that. I thought it might be more an abbreviation. You thoughts may be more plausible. Appreciate the reply!

There are a number of auxiliary markings that this could be a part of, though I agree "foreign" seems the most likely.

It could also represent any number of locally used city/state markings such as in these examples:




Of course, in the original example, "FOR" could be the beginning of many city or town names, particularly those that refer to "FORT ..." (Fort Bragg, Fort Worth, Fort Wayne, Fort Collins, etc.)

A straightline mark for a town with FORT in the name jumps to the top of my list - a good thought. I was having trouble imagining a 1 1/2 cent stamp having anything to do with foreign mail, and also with whatever kind of handstamp made use of the word "foreign" at the beginning. That came to mind first so I mentioned it, but I think the "fort" idea has more probability. Having a "T" following the "R" insead of an "E" might explain why we see no line on the perf tips, except for the little mark up by the top of the "R." The end of a serif perhaps?

Did someone mention Fort Bragg?

Thanks all, "FORT" seems the most plausible. Really no way to determine which.

It could also be PORT, again the start of some town. It looks a lot more like a P than an F to me.

"FORT" & "PORT" seem plausible. Really no way to determine one way or the other. Thanks!