Linear markings (in French: "Griffe Linéaire")


Arrival cds Contres on the back of the card.
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The use of Linear markings were applied for 3 different reasons.
1. (Arrival) Mail that was not cancelled at the post office upon departure for
different reasons (late pick up,sorting errors). The Linear marking (s) would
be applied on the stamp (s) at the destinations post office. These types of
markings are the most common.Sometimes an arrival cds was also applied
on incoming mail.
2.(Departure) Linear markings applied at departure.This could occur when the
letter was late for the daily postmarking.A simple linear marking was applied
by the postal clerk with the departures town name.Mail posted in train
stations would have the word "gare' in the Linear marking.For example,
lyon - Gare.
3. (Transit) linear markings with the name of a given department were applied
on un cancelled stamps through transit.These transit markings were
applied in mail sorting centers.A postal clerk would notice an un cancelled
letter or card and apply the department marking.In practice though,most
of the mail lacking cancels would just slip through during the transit.
Only upon arrival at the destination post office,a Linear marking was applied
with the towns name.
Below some examples of different Linear markings.Most Linear markings are
in a single line.Some exist with double lines.

Double line types.

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Examples of the different types on covers and postcards.


Departure marking Trouville sur mer ,destination Evreux with a transit train cancel


Departure marking Valence-Gare


Departure marking Chateauneuf-en-Thymerais


Departure marking Gironville souslescotes

Arrival marking Valenciennes

Departure marking Rethel

Departure marking Rechicourt-le-Chateau


Arrival marking Montmorency with arrival cds on the back.

Arrival marking Monaco-Condamine

Arrival marking Narbonne

Arrival marking Bordeaux-RP


Transit marking Dordogne

Transit marking Aude

Arrival marking Loches

Arrival marking Lausanne (Switzerland)
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An example of a Linear marking device

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Linear markings were used in Belgium also.The roulette cancel although not a linear marking per say,I have included it in the pic below.

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PAQUEBOT MARKINGSThese come in many different forms.Paquebot markings were applied on mail from Paquebots that were mailed from port of call post offices.Most of the time
covers or postcards carry the local cds of the port post office.


Paquebot marking Cote de Somalis Djibouti


Paquebot marking 44mm, Suez Egypt

Paquebot marking 70mm on piece


Paquebot "Flandre" marking 53mm ,Havana,Cuba cds on reverse


Paquebot marking boxed 45mm, Port Taufiq,Eqypt