Return For Better Direction Dial On Cover- Wt1

wt1, I was thinking of you this morning and seen this odd postal marking. I was wondering if you, or anyone else may have ever seen this marking before? "Return for better direction". I found it over at the postal history website and thought it may of some interest to you or that you might at least want to see it for future reference.

Page:

http://www.postalhistory.com/result...sort=3&cc=bn

picture:

http://www.postalhistory.com/photo....s_B/BN730918

Image:

In response to your question, I recall seeing that circular dial stamp before (but can't recall where). Upon further research the use of that phrase either handwritten or by rubber stamp is written into Postal Manuals back in that day and up through the 1940s.

Here's how the PL&R read in 1887 (note second paragraph):



However, it's often found as a straight line stamp such as in this example:



It's also mentioned at this link:

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/muse...eralbum.html

The "Returned for Better Direction" phrase is used quite extensively in Canada, too.

Very interesting! Thank you for the link and information! Respectfully -Jeff

There are modern equivalents of that marking, but those early markings are very collecatable.

"The envelopes inside bare markings of ..."

The Smithsonian got spell-checked?