Just got done imaging these.
First, one that I cannot figure out the rate it's paying. It appears to be just a normal bank check, which should have just been 2 cents. Does the "or bearer" turn it into something else beyond the normal check rate? It doesn't match the inland exchange rates either.
The handwriting of the initials on the stamp matches those of the check's signature line.
Some nice blackjack usages with attractive vignettes.
A doctor's receipt.
Two where the illegal usage was caught, and then proper revenue stamps affixed, in one case on top of the postage stamp.
A bit munged, but an illegal use of Scott #75 on a document fragment with a large oval cancel from the German import house Loeschigk, Oesendonck & Co.
A couple of stamps off document. First a nice blackjack strip of 3. Too bad it's not still on the document, as multiples illegally used are not common.
Scott # 78b (I believe the color is 78b as opposed to 78, but I am not well versed in front-of-book) with a Susquehanna Canal Co. railroad cancel (Tolman S-14).
And lastly a couple of revenue stamps used on cover as postage.
First, a block of 4 of 2-cent battleships plus a single paying 10 cents postage on a Registered Mail cover. Used slightly out of period, but no obvious indicators that the cover is philatelic. Blocks used illegally are almost unheard of, since the usage would have to be international, a heavy cover, or special services in order to justify 8 cents+ in postage.
Nice bold boxed 'Indian Orchard, Mass.' handstamp cancels.
And a nice international cover, caught not by the USPS, but the Italian post, with postage due assessed to the recipient.
Posted 09/01/2018 8:09 pm
