Couple Of Questions On Pre-Cancels

Ran across these as was going through some of my US Stamps (which I don't collect).

As I don't know anything about precancels, thought I would ask experts.

I probably have some VERY unique pre-cancels, as my Grandparents were postmasters in a very small town in California. They were the ones who got me interested in stamp collecting as a kid (1960s). As postmasters, they pre-canceled some stamps for me from the town (including some that were upside down). Obviously these are stamps from that era (1960s).

Questions:
1. Is there a town list for Pre-Cancelled stamps? Is Caliente California on that list?

2. I assume that more valuable pre-cancels are also due to the stamp they are cancelled on, is that correct?

3. I don't see many pre-cancels from more modern stamps, so I assume they arn't really collected much.

Here are a couple of examples of the Caliente Pre-cancels. Any thoughts or comments are most welcome.

Michael

Precancels are actively collected, from all countries & times:

http://www.precancels.com/ <== LEARN MORE HERE

Some collectors might resist some of your more unique items as 'favor' cancels; others won't.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

DCstamps, IkeyPikey directed you to the #1 precancel site in the world.
As for your question about modern precancels. I have a feeling you get these in your mailbox daily, but don't recognize them any longer.
One of the most common one is a stamp that shows a stylized picture of a dove with a letter in it's beak. Underneath it says "Nonprofit Org."! That is now the precancel; no longer an overprinted stamp! The person or organization mailing this pays a certain amount per stamp, and the difference between the denomination of the stamp and the actual cost of mailing is paid to the post office where the mailing takes place. Hope this helps?

Peter

Is your Grand-parents from Caliente ? , I visit that place on my way to the Tehachapi loop, very know place for railfans

Amazing that someone actually knows of Caliente. Yes they lived there for many years. I lived with them for 3-4 years when I was very young, then spent many summers in Caliente. The railroad almost loops the town, and I remember when twice a day my Grandma would go out and hang the postal pouch for the train to catch on the way by.

Thanks for the pre-cancel info.

Caliente has 3 different Types, an 804, 841 & L-1. The one's you have shown are type 841. The type 804 & 847 are both call Vinyls applied by hand in a 10 subject format. The L-1 is called a Local type and there are 2 variations one with CA the other CALIF. Also it is noted that the L-1 that they were legitimetely used but philatelic origin.

Thanks warrehouse

Oh my, 3 types. It makes me smile to imagine my grandparents applying all of those precanceled stamps in the hands of collectors. A little interesting history, the post office was attached to the front of the house, and they ran it from about the late 1940's the early 1970's. The house is no longer there, but the fond memories are.

Michael

I collect precancels and I have been to the Tehachapi Loop to watch the trains - small world. Most scarce/valuable precancels come on 'common' stamps. The notable exception being US Scott # 596. You need the reference books, or ask questions here, to find out if a precancel is valuable.

Some Caliente pre-cancel info…. pre-cance types and price



Enjoy,
Hal

Thanks for the info chasa and hal

chasa, have been to the Tehachapi Loop many times, but its probably been longer than 40 years since the last time.

Also, hal, thanks for the pictures that is really interesting. The third one, dated Nov 3, 1958, I was living with my Grandparents at the time in Calente (I was about 2-1/2 years old), and was most likely in the house when it was cancelled. Indeed a small world.

Thanks all for a little education on precancel collecting. I do have a few precanceled stamps scattered throughout my stamps, I will find them and post them to see what I have. However, I don't think I will change my collecting interests for a while, but I do enjoy learning things.

Michael