Question On A 1915 Boulevard Mass. Cancel

Hi. Although I'm new to this site, I have been collecting stamps and covers on and off for many years.

In a box of early 20th century covers I came across the one below and I've always been intrigued by the postmark. I assume it may just be a branch station of some post office (probably from Boston) but it's unique to me.

Was wondering if anyone can help identify it more accurately.

Thanks for your help.

Hello and Welcome!
There was a Boulevard Branch and a Boulevard Station in Massachusetts. Both were discontinued post offices by 1913 according to Jim Forte's web site. Your cover appears to be dated 1915.

The postmark itself is a type of machine cancel from the American Postal company - attractive, but pretty standard style for it's day.

Here's Forte's website too..a nifty tool:

http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp

That's a great resource Battle,

The sender's script on the cover is fascinating,
he/she uses strokes and lines for M and N
An attractive hand.

Thanks for your help on this question. I appreciate the response. The web link provided is very helpful too, for future reference.

FYI, after seeing this response, I did a web search and found that several old books/publications from 1915 refers to "Boulevard, Mass." as a legal mailing address, so I guess it did exist at one time.

I agree it makes a rather common type of cover VERY attractive!
I give it

Hmmm... being from MA, I wonder exactly where Boulevard Station was...

Being from MA as well, I have always wondered about that Boulevard, Mass. cancel. Although my mind keeps drawing a picture of Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, my research has determined that to be incorrect.

Since posting this topic last year, I have found some period documents with mailing addresses showing Boulevard, Mass. as a legal address for that time. A further look at the postal history website link above shows that the Boulevard, Mass. location was in Norfolk County, which discounts any connection of it being part of Boston (as Boston is in Suffolk County).

I think I have narrowed it down to a section of Brookline (Norfolk County) as one period address I saw refers to a party at 1470 Beacon Street, Bouelvard, Mass., and it would make sense that Brookline would be the most likely option. Chances are it was merely a "station" or a small sectional post office serving only a specific neighborhood of that town.

The cancel is from a American Postal Supply Co. Model B14. Dates of use were 1908-1915 making your cove oone of the late usages.

Although this a very dated thread, I have recently come upon this explanation of the cancellation. It seems to make sense, however, if the explanation is to be believed, the name "Boulevard" was changed to "Coolidge Corner" in January 1915, however, my originally scanned cover has a date of October 20, 1915. Perhaps the old machine cancellation was used beyond the period of the name change?

My database shows Boulevard 1908-1915 with Coolidge Corner 1916-29. The American Postal Supply model B14 was used from 1908-1920.

Thanks. I'm trying to locate a source for the book "The Post Offices of Massachusetts" where the above data was supposedly taken, however, my search has found that the book was only printed in a limited edition of 1000 copies and only one of the 61 libraries in the network where I live has it, and it's restricted to in-library use only, so I'm not sure if I can get it locally or not.

Interestingly, I did find this link at the National Postal Museum's website suggesting that the Massachusetts Postal Research Society is looking to update the document for a subsequent revision release with scarcity ratings of less common postmarks. What the website doesn't mention is any dates of how old or recent this posting may be:

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/stat...ratings.html

At least I found out where the postmark is from (Boulevard - Coolidge Corner - Brookline) which is half the battle. The dates of use are always a bit fuzzy until the editor/publisher of a book similar to the above has documented support for EKU and LKU dates of specific postmarks.

The interest in machine cancels is increasing but very little information is forwarded for updating databases. The usage date range for cancels has quite a margin of error.

Fascinating thread, thanks.

It always fascinates me learning about old post offices that have been shut down and towns that have all but disappeared. The only cancels I have that I know of from a post office of old that no longer exists is from Avery, Oklahoma. I need to research and find out when the P.O. was shut down, but I have in fact stood in the ruins of it. When I find out more info I will gladly pass it along with pics of the cancels to anyone interested.

It seems that, soon, there will be lots of postmarks from closed post offices if the USPS has their way. They plan to shut down two of them near us.