Unusual Cut And Punch Cancellations

Most of the cut cancels you find on the late 1st issue, 2nd issue, and 3rd issue revenues are either herringbone or concentric circle cut cancels. Every now and then though, you find some interesting patterns or methods. Most people don't consider them collectible and lump them all together. Mike Morrissey collected examples of various types of "paper penetrating" cancels.

Here are some of the more interesting ones I have. Any others?

This one is a slender rectangle filled with diagonal cuts.




This one is interesting in several respects: (1) both print and cut elements in the same cancel device, and (2) two different paper cutting devices in the same cancel, the diagonal slits below the name and the chevrons to left and right of the year.




The New York customs cancels are always fun. The triangular punch was part of the printed canceling device. Finding well-inked full strikes is very difficult, as it is a fairly large format cancel and the pressure was on the punch, not so much on the printed portion of the cancel. This example is about as close as I get to a full strike.




I've always thought that punch cancels were potentially dodgy unless they on the original documents, as there is no way to know when the punches were added. Although, since most collectors view punch cancels as a negative, and wouldn't pay premiums for them, there's really no incentive to manufacture them.

Hi, have you ever researched the earliest dated usage of the herringbone style cancel?

My informal research suggest late 1869 or early 1870.

Hope other members might have interesting date to report, and images to share.

Stampmaster

This is one that I've had for years. I have no idea if it's legitimate or not, but it stands out on a Vario page.

Yeah, the star and keyhole punches have always been a bit too similar to craft hand punches that you can buy; I've never seen a usage on document... and even that wouldn't necessarily prove anything. The numerical cancels though, I believe to be legit, but again have no proof.

The earliest cut/punch/herringbone cancel I have is 1870, but it's a flawed sample, since I tend to avoid those types of cancels unless there's something otherwise redeeming about the stamp, so most don't get a second notice from me.

Hi revenuecollector, I agree and try to avoid the herringbone cancels myself, like I said, just an informal research, when I see one, make a mental note of the month and year.

Good luck in your future stamp collecting adventures, (stamp collecting is an adventure).