Can They Do That?

I recently had 2 strange experiences with canceled stamps.

I had to set up a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of some paperwork. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to get some cool canceled stamps back in the mail. When the large envelope came back to me, there was no cancellation on the stamps. Not a single mark. Nor was there a bar code anywhere on the envelope. I called the sender to tell them I received the package and asked if they send it through the mail
stamps and they said yes, USPS. Now what do I do to these "used" with no cancellation, stuck to the envelope? I guess I will cut and keep, but I am still very perplexed.

Another situation last week. I received a duck catalog of stamps in the mail. Affixed to the envelope were some terrific airmail Olympic 35 cent stamps and Glenn Curtiss 35 cent stamps. Only problem...They were canceled with a hideous black marker line through them, no cancellation stamp. A bar code was affixed to the envelope so I assume additional postage was needed and paid for. What should I do with these stamps? It makes me sad to think of what could have been.

You could take the first envelope back to the PO and ask for a courtesy cancel. More than likely the stamps were tagged and went right the the automated sorting devices. Check out the topic/poll for "do you glue"

The second item was hit by the "marker monkeys" who displease collectors by hand canceling stamps with ink pens and permanent markers- which is allowed according to postal code. There is a topic thread were you can post your unattractive cancels, search for "marker monkeys".

Sorry for you unluckiness. It happens to most of us at some point.

Thank you so much. I had no idea. Much appreciated.

Oversized/odd-sized mail/packages are "non-machinable", and therefore must be hand-scanned or sorted/canceled by hand and will in general not have a bar code. Your envelope was probably over-sized. Many times they will sort it but not hand-cancel it. I receive a lot of packages and over-sized mail with stamps on them. I would estimate that 1/3 of the stamps on these type of mail come in uncanceled. On the normal mail, the stamps always come canceled, but often are torn/scraped by the sorting machinery. It's getting harder and harder to collect used US stamps.



No, the bar code just means the deliver address was run through a scanner and a delivery barcode generated/applied. However, since it did not go through the normal sorting machinery for regular sized mail, the stamps didn't get canceled. Some "observant" postal worker noticed and canceled the stamp with a marker (often referred to as "Sharpied" or "Marker Monkeys"). Just be glad it wasn't crayon (found on some very old GB stamps) or a footprint (disgruntled postal employee).

I tried to ask a "courtesy cancel" from an employee in the post office in san francisco and they refused my request

As long as it has the proper FIRST CLASS postage affixed, they cannot refuse your request. It's in the DMM section on hand-back service. Otherwise, the "small business" cover makers would never survive, having to take the chance that the covers don't get returned to them all mangled up in the mailstream.

But just because it's in the DMM doesn't mean the postal worker knows about it. Based on the experience of others, apparently discussing with the clerk logically doesn't work; it's easier to go to another post office or find another clerk that is more familiar with the rules or that is "friendlier". They do exist!

Good luck!

I had the samething happen with Canada Post. I told them if the stamps were unceancelled that I would soak them off and use them again.

Now they honour my request for cancels.

I'm sure those employees at that post office hate my guts.

David

You have suffered the famous old "double whammy" Cynthia!

I can't tell you how many times the same thing has happened to me.