Question About Pen Cancels

I saw that just six months ago I didn't think pen cancels were so bad. I guess my final opinion would be that the seem fitting on old stamps, but not on more modern stamps.
Allan

I realize this isn't US, or modern, but it is a good example to my eyes of an attractive pen cancel. I bought this Bahamas 27 particularly for its cancel. I already had a couple examples, but something about this one caught my eye...

Some are of interest to me. I fund this one in my French section of

"Stamps of World War II", although it is of pre-war era.

Very nice, Conn. --KirkS

Here are a few.....

Wow Andy!

That first pair is really something. Are those initials in the middle of the X or just a scribble?

Thanks for sharing these. If I might be so bold, are they from your collection?

KirkS

the #2 on cover is a nice stamp

KirkS, the pair: just scribbles as far as I could tell but you made me look at it again a lot closer.

Yes these are from my collection.

funcity, #2 thanks it has really nice margins and a very light manuscript cancel.

Here is another I have on cover with manuscript cancel (I forgot about)I also recently purchase a single with a blue manuscript cancel I still have to scan in my computer, when I do I'll post it.

Pen cancels and temporary markings (manuscript cancels) were used until the introduction of standard postmarks in many countries. Attached is one such example - very rare postcard from Lithuania (1919) recently sold on ebay for $180.

Well, I guess that explains the 1847 in your username

Seriously nice collection. One of those cancels looks like the postmaster thought about cropping Franklin's face.

KirkS

Very nice Andy I do like your #2 too it is a nice cover mate,I think you will find your pair of #1 are signed though roughly It does look like a signature,also I'm very envious as I still have to add a Scott #1 and #2 to my collection thanks for posting.

regards Harry

You really think they are signatures? (pair) I thought the post man didn't like Ben very much.

Well to be more precise Andy I should have said initials,still love that #2 as it has great borders.

i don't mind pen cancels, but I can't seem to find too many of them. this is the only one in my collection right now.

Those old pen cancels on classic stamps that are in the form of initials are "manuscript cancels" and seem to be almost universally acceptable if not actually desirable. I suspect that if today's' carriers were other than lazy and would use their initials we may find modern pen cancels acceptable.