Early 20th Century Fancy Cancels

It has been a few months since I have posted a topic. That is because sheep and motorcycles don't mix.

I just received a purchase of 13 different fancy cancels on early 20th century stamps (plus two others on Scott #178). I'll post them here little by little. I have very little knowledge about fancy cancels, so if anyone can identify them for me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Marty

OUCH!! Hope you are fully recovered! Not sure whether I should ask about the sheep or the motorcycle first!?

What do you mean, sheep and motorcycles don't mix??



Hope you are OK.

Steve

Oh god Trigger --- that is SO funny.

Steve, that may have been exactly what Marty was doing. Did you notice in his original post, there are 2 smilies with black eyes?!

Hope you are healed up and as good as new Quigngt!

Triggersmob, Boy, I knew you guys were wild down under there but you let your sheep drive?

Great pic!

Really the guy is probably rounding up a stray or taking a sick sheep to the vet.

That would make a great stamp! Can I use it to make a Canada personalized stamp?

Do sheep drive in Guatemala too?

Holy smokes, we only let the bears drive here.

Well, the motorcycle had much less damage than I did and at least one of the sheep. We were both sprawled out on the highway. I ended up with a leg cast. I just had my last therapy a week ago but still have exercises to do. Going down steps is still difficult at times. But, thank God I'm still here breathing. The helmet had protected me from head injury. The sheep? One of them was probably stew that evening.

Here are more fancy cancels.




The "JOIN NAVY" below, is probably part of a slogan cancel and not a true fancy cancel.

Steve, I love your sheep and motorcycle mix! What else do the outback people do?

I've seen entire families (5 people, adults with kids) on one bike, but never any sheep.

Marty

All comments welcome, including opinions as to the genuineness of these fancy cancels. No comments can be worse than sheep in front of a motorcycle.

Marty













And last of all the two 19th century stamps. I doubt the "P" is a true fancy cancel.

I don't have much of a taste for lamb stew, but I can tell you that I really like the $ cancel and for some reason the Join Navy cancel.

Outstanding buy! It's good to have you back!

I had emailed Marty privately regarding the fancy cancels in this thread. He was gracious to suggest that my concerns be posted publicly.

In a nutshell, at first glance (without physically examining the stamps), my initial reaction was that a couple of the fancy cancels were fake. Upon my 2nd glance, I have begun to wonder if almost all of the fancy cancels are fake or altered cancels. I only see one stamp I would say definitely has a genuine cancel. Another 2 are possible genuine. The others I have serious doubts for various reasons.

I don't really collect fancy cancels, and I am not even close to being a fancy cancel expert.

Before I post the reasons for my doubts, I am very curious to see if any other Forum participants noticed anything odd about the posted stamps. As I stated -- I am not an expert on fancy cancels. So just because I have my doubts does not mean they aren't all genuine. I'm hoping to learn from someone else who might have more experience with these issues and fancy cancels, and might have been hesitant to say anything.

Thanks again, Marty, for your willingness to discuss this openly.

k

Very nice cancels Marty..i vote lamb stew no ! Lamb chops si ! I am not going to touch the guy with the sheep looking for a parking spot !!

Everyone, please feel free to do as Kim has asked and give your honest opinions.
Whether or not some, or most, of these are fake, I will still enjoy them. Either as genuine or added to my growing collection of fakes and counterfeits.

Marty

I also am not an expert on fancy cancels. With that said, I have seen hundreds over the years. I also am suspect of most of these with varying reasons. I will give a few reasons. First most "Fancy Cancels" were home made out of cork. They were most often made by bored postal workers. These look a lot like rubber stamps. They would also normally be large enough to tie the stamp to the cover. Rarely are they are perfectly centered on the stamp. My greatest concern would be that their use was prohibited by this time. If I remember correctly By the time these were issued all cancelling devices had to show place of cancellation and date. In my opinion all are bogus with the exception of the "Join the Navy"(I have seen similar on cover) and the last 2. I have other concerns as well but these would be enough for me to say "pass". Sorry!

Fair go, Cobber! We don't do anything to our sheep, but eat them. Were not New Zealanders you know.

Steve