What Type Of Cancel? Special Delivery

Hello,

I discovered a 3 on this special delivery stamp. Is this a cancel and what type? Thank you.

Duplex cancels, a type of hand stamp postmark.

Thank you, I will check it out. Appreciate the answer.

Mrita,
For a general overview of the different postmarks styles you are likely to encounter on US stamps, covers, and post cards, you might look for a small paperback "Postmarks on Postcards" by Richard Helbock. While directed to postcard collectors, it is applicable to all types of mailed material.

There are two editions, with a few more pages in the 2nd edition, but the contents are essentially the same. These are often found on both ebay and Amazon, just check a few offerings for price variations before making a purchase.

US postmarks prior to the 1880s were not really standardized other than what is seen from larger post offices. The Post Office Department only provided "free" postmarking devices to large post offices where postmasters compensations was greater than $1000 (perhaps at most 5% of the offices prior to 1900). Postmasters at small post office had to purchase their own devices from a myriad of vendors who manufactured an almost "infinite" variety of devices with different impression designs.

The Machine Cancel Society has a number of specialized listings and catalogs on the different markings made by automated cancelling machines, but for a basic overview of these, look for "A Collectors Guide to U.S. Machine postmarks, 1871-1925", by Russell F. Hanmer. Again, probably can be found on ebay or Amazon if you watch for it.

Mike

Thank you, yes I also have some Mexican stamps and Revenues from 1870-1910 that have a lot of variety so it will be nice to understand them as well. Nora.

Mrita75:

For Mexico stamps, I would start with Scott as it has good photographs of almost all of the issues, but does not go beyond the basic catalog numbering. An older edition would suffice, just make sure its new enough for color images.

For additional detail and information about the district and shipment overprints, probably the best descriptive catalog for Mexico stamps for the period you note is Nicholas Folensbee's "A Catalog of the Stamps of Mexico 1856-1910", which has been published in a number of editions. For basic information and no need for values, any edition should be adequate for identification. Check ebay.

There are several catalogs for Mexico Revenues. The newest and probably best is Michael Roberts, "Mexico's Revenue Stamps", which was published in a digital DVD format early in 2019. It is a significantly expanded revision (525 pages) of the print edition published about 2001 (250 pages). I just looked in my recent issues of Mexicana Journal but could not locate order information. If I can find it, I'll post it later. It was, as I recall, very reasonably priced in this format. It was not considered economically practical to publish this as a print edition because of the size.

Mike
MEPSI 3233

Thank you Mike -I actually paid dues and tried to join MEPSI as well. I need to go back to the email I received and see what I did wrong so I can also access and enjoy the membership. A lot to learn about my Mexico stamps, documents, notes and revenues - very exciting journey.