"S" Cork Cancel On Canada 3c Small Queen

I could not figure out this cork cancel until I separated the colours in Paintshop Pro.

Now I see it is clearly an "S" between two stripes, making it kind of like a football.

Way to old for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL

Does anyone recognize it and where it originates from?

BeeSee...When you turn it 90 degress, it almost looks like a face...







Hey BeeSee...Nice looking stamp without the cancellation.

Nice Wert, even a picture of the stamp before it was licked, LOL.

Maybe the "S" is for Sudbury Ontario.

It definatley looks like an "S" that they would use back in that time...The style of the "S" I mean...It could come Saskatchewan for all we know...That would be worth Googeling.

BeeSee...Could this cancellation be left over from the stampless covers days...???

Hello Bee See

Your fancy "S" cancel (although only a partial strike, strongly resembles that used in Shelburne, Ontario between May 1876 and January 1877.




The hammer was recorded by Day & Smythies as #697 and by David Lacelle as #768.

If you are interested in fancy cancels, you should purchase a copy of "Fancy Cancels on Canadian Stamps, 1855 to 1950" by David Lacelle and published by BNAPS. It is available from Ian Kimmerly in Ottawa.

If you join BNAPS, you will get a 40% discount on BNAPS publications which will go a long way towards covering your annual dues.

GJP

Thanks GJP - great information!

I am already a BNAPS member, they do have great publications.

So if that hammer was only used for 9 months does it have a high rarity factor or woul it have been used far to much in that time frame. I have never seen one even close to that .

Hi Nitrolures
I don't think Rarity Factor is an issue with Fancy cancels. Most were homemade from cork or other material and didn't last too long. There aren't too many that would carry a high price tag and that is what makes them fun to collect. I have a few hundred on small queens and I know I will never be able to complete the collection although there are lots out there. The RF is generally a reflection of the size of the Post Office using the device. By the way, I collect them as they come -- I don't go looking for them specifically.
GJP

Thanks Gportch- One area I have not done much studying on is cancels although I find them fascinating and a very important aspect. Of all the small quens I have only about a dozen were ever purchased for a particular reason and all others came along with lots and sorts. I see many listings with specific cancels that make a typical $1 stamp jump into the double and sometimes triple digits but again its a passion and study all its own. You either need a complete library of reference material or many many years of absorbing knowledge.