Squared Circle/Precursor Cancels

Stamp catalogues list abbreviations for stamp nomenclature. Is there a list of common abbreviations for postmark types that I can use in naming files. I'm most interested in shortening "squared circle" and "split-ring" and don't want to make up my own if there is an official or commonly accepted list.

Cynical. Don't know if you have a Unitrade catalogue, but they have a couple of pages on these cancels, particularly four-ring numerical, two-ring numerical and squared circle postmarks. This list also include a rarity scale, town numbers and various comments. Pages 558 - 561 of the 2011 edition.
Hope that helps.

If you are Canadian centric, then the above advice is good,
otherwise, why desire to abbreviate?
Perhaps you can come from another angle, and place your files
in folders that do not necessitate a naming convention.

For example, you may have a folder called "The Squared circle"
then place you examples under their corresponding cat number.

If its a spreadsheet, a column squared circle that just requires a tick.

The only abbreviation for Squared Circles I have ever personally seen was in an auction and described as "Sq.Cir". Duplexes were just plain Dupx. or Dplx. cancel etc.

Maybe not much help here but, these are the only ones I have seen

Chimo

Bujutsu

Rod: I use Windows Explorer's file storage/naming capabilities as my database but use my ACDSee 3.1 on the front-end for its speedy file manipulation capabilities (an old program that laid dormant in my computer until you suggested its use a few years back). An example of a file in my Canada sub-folder is:

CanSc0037_03c1870_smqv_squared_circle_mt_forest_canc(m.jpg

I doubt if I will be making presentation contact sheets so relaying heading information in a simple readable format for others isn't important (I don't have the ACDSee contact sheet plug-in anyway).

For instance, if a stamp is an overprint I insert the abbreviation "opt" into the file name and use that to bring up overprints. If there is a generally accepted abbreviation for "squared circle" I would like to use that rather than the long phrase. If there isn't one I will make up my own (e.g. sqdcirc).

Bujutsu: thanks for that. I have been using "duplex" in my file names and may use "dplx"

Glad it helped Cynical

Chimo

Bujutsu

Wow! Cynical, I employ nearly the identical system!
Well let's see if we can offer some help.

Here's a few things I do, for speed and agility,
you probably are aware of them, but just incase not.
Take whatever you will.

1. I use spaces not underscores, I find that time consuming.

2. Bulk re naming:
work from the thumbnail view
Let's say you have 2000 stamps for Canada, and you want to isolate the squared circles.

1a: If you want to have a separate folder
Make a new folder "squared circle" or whatever
go to you canada folder, thumbnail view
click on all the squared circles, and "copy" them
to the new folder-done

2a: If you want to remain with just one folder
and rename, then once again click on the squared circles
(lets assume theres 50)
Hit F2
then type *[squared circle] or, *[sqd cir]
All your examples will retain their file names with
[sqd circ] appended.
Practice on say 2 images first.

An asterisk after the text appends to the beginning
I use this for bulk typing of catalogue numbers in
stamp sets

Say SG#### (1927) T1234 20c General Franco [0m1] .jpg
set the first cat number
ACDSee will ask you what number for first ####
On a set of say 20 you have the names entered
all you have to do is change the currency values.

In view / details you can copy a length of text
go to another stamp, find the entry point
and right click paste, to enter say [sqrd circ]
to random issues you may have missed.
very little typing involved

I'll kick around and see if I can find the plug ins
the contact list plug in is powerful and useful.

Rod: thanks for the time and advice, especially "2a" above. I have to do something regarding stampless stuff and this is applicable. I may also search for all your ACDSee stuff that you have posted on SCF and print screen (prt scr) them and put them in a file.

To anyone: is "stampless" the appropriate name for covers that pre-dated gummed paper stamps and if so (or whatever) is there a commonly used abbreviation? At present the stampless material is mixed in with the applicable country postage stamp stuff (just had a flashback to a George Carlin routine) but will eventually be pulled out and placed into a "stampless" folder.

I think they are referred to as "pre stamp covers" Cynical.

Instead of your "print screen"
search for the superior "Fastone Capture" program (FREE)

Then Open your ACDSee in full screen thumbnail view
and do a capture....like this
http://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm

With fastone you are not restricted to screen size
you can capture larger pictures

Here is 1/8th of my Bulgaria collection.

Hope that helps.

Here are some abbreviations that I decided to go with in my file naming efforts:

sqd circ
stpless
2-ringnum21-goderich
4-ringnum7-collingwood
19-bar
2-split-ring
etc.

Someone might ask - why not get rid of the dashes but they are there to avoid confusion with coinage when searching (02s gets me 2 shilling stamps; 2-s gets me all the stamps with 2-split-ring postmarks) and it reduces the "run-on" in the complete file name thus reducing confusion.

Anyone have any examples of nude squared circles (i.e., no "indicia" as they say)? Somehow nude and indicia sound like they shouldn't be together in the same sentence. I'm half way through my collection looking for these (and other cancel types) but haven't come across any.

nude squared circles
Not heard this expression before.

While waiting for nudes I thought I would put on this 1897 3c Canada Scott#53 with a Mattawa type b squared circle (thick lines) cancel.

Canada Scott#53 1897 3c Jubilee Stamp
Mattawa Squared Circle Cancel



I only did it so I could give a test (Jamesw and Bujutsu have proven it the past that they appreciate a test). First, for those who are from away, Mattawa is located where the Mattawa River empties into the Ottawa River. The river itself is of some significance in the glacial history of the Great Lakes in that it was once the outlet for the Upper Great Lakes rather than today's present outlet, the St. Clair River at Port Huron/Sarnia.

The community of Mattawa is also significant for another reason and herein lies the test:

What famous lumberjack that is known throughout Canada came from Mattawa and what famous Canadian poet made him famous in song and verse?

This from BNA Topics May 1960, p124:




...and from BNA Topics June 1960. p154 re the Coleman Post Office: