The Oldest Known Precancel

what is the oldest known pre-cancel. Do these go back to the Columbian issue or much later.
Thanks,
Robert

Hi, the oldest pre-cancels to back much earlier than the 1893 Colombian U.S. Series. Usually just one or two lines, or other indications like a star.

Good question.

I do not know for sure what is the oldest known pre-cancel.

Good luck

Stampmaster

By later do you mean earlier, as in 1861? A printed precancel CUMBERLAND, ME (on cover) in the 1861-62 listing for U.S.63 is the first mention I found.
There are two pre cancels listed as premiums in the 1873 issues for U.S. 156, a Printed G for Glastonbury, Conn. and a Printed Star, for Glen Allen, Va. 157 and 158 also list the GA star.

1857 Weston MA "W" manuscript precancel?
Don

There are precancels on the 1 cent 1857 issue as well and perhaps the 1 cent 1851. Precancels were widely used by photographers on revenue stamps affixed to the back of photos during the Civil War...

Don't forget the Wheeling Virginia grid which exists on both the 5¢ and 10¢ 1847 stamps. It is a portion of a target cancel which will be found in one of the four corners of the design as the cancel was applied to 4 stamps at a time.

I intentionally didn't mention the Wheeling grid since it's generally viewed as a "control mark" and not as an intended precancellation device. (or that's my understanding, at least - I'm happy to be corrected if the scholarship has changed).

And if we're talking about the 1857 and 1861 issues, you can include Harrisburg, PA precancels:
http://www.rfrajola.com/harrisburg_precancels.htm

Thanks for the info everyone. I am learning a lot from this site.
Robert

Several of the 1844 Independent Mail Companies used precanels. Hale's probably the first. This item is oldest in my currect PM census.

http://www.philamercury.com/covers.php?id=21582

And to help round out the story a bit, I suppose one could also consider "ad-hoc" pre-cancels. I've seen a modest number of pen cancelled 1851 issue stamps on cover over the years, with one or more pen strokes that go off of the stamp, to the extent that they should tie, but don't.

Of course, some clearly don't belong on their covers, but I'm quite sure that some do. The local postmaster for whatever reason, separated a multiple of stamps from the sheet, and cancelled them. He then separated and sold those individually.

What this thread is discussing is the "SILENT PRECANCEL".

The best authority on the subject is Dave Smith. Dave is a a foremost dealer and member of the PSS and has written many articles and the following monograph entitled, ""Silent precancels: A catalog of lines, bars, and designs on the 19th and 20th century stamps used postally in the United States" and it is available on Phil Bansner's website: https://www.philbansner.com/Philate...th__david_w/

You'll find a primer on the subject on the PSS website at: http://www.precancels.com/precancel-primer/

Info on The Providence Silent Precancel is at: http://www.lcps-stamps.org/page5/fi...dhesives.pdf

There is an SCF thread on the subject at: http://goscf.com/t/41202#355620

And many others are found in the book: "POSTAL HISTORY AND USAGE OF 1907 AND EARLIER PRECANCELS" by Charles C. Souder, ©1989, published by D.G. Phillips Publishing Co.,Inc., North Miami, FL. also at Phil Bansner
https://www.philbansner.com/Philate...__charles_c/

Hal

Hi Don,


As you can see - Page 302, Skinner & Eno label them as "Quill Pen Cancels"


Hope that helps.

Best,
Hal