What Does Dpo Mean On This Cancel?

This cancel is a Cleveland Ohio postmark but at bottom of the round, are the initials D. P. O.. What do they stand for?



*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

Sure it isn't a smudged "C"?

Definitely "D.P.O."

Here is a link to a previous thread which suggests two possibilities of "Depot Post Office" and "Distributing Post Office":
https://goscf.com/t/71160

And this link which suggests "Downtown Post Office"
https://www.stampcommunity.org/topi...PIC_ID=28085

It would be good to find a reference contemporary to the cancels.

From the January 1881 Post Office Guide

Don

1881 isn't very contemporary, is it?

Being snarky isn't going to solicit much additional input, is it?
I was working in the the Postal Guides and saw this, sorry for bothering to reply. To quote you, "I wont make this mistake again".
Don

Is there a return address on the back? It might be useful in guessing at which office this originated from, and then possibly the type from Postal Guide info.

51studebaker's find does give a possible clue, but remember, this is an order to stop using D.P.O. as a designation (in printed wooden labels). Now here it is in 192??, used in a cancel. Something very much closer to the date for the cover is really needed to interpret what D.P.O. meant at that time.

Don, I was not trying to be snarky, I merely pointed out in my original post to this thread that a *contemporary* reference would be the best source for a definitive conclusion.

DPO or distributing post office goes back before the RPO system was established. I do not think registered mail regulations covering registered package envelopes would apply to a special delivery item; however, have not researched this point in any detail. Anything interesting on the back side of this item?

In THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE, a book published in 1917 and authored by Daniel Roper, in chapter XI on "Railway Mail Service" DPO/Distributing Post Office appears to be a synonym for an RPO. I suppose the term could have meant the same in 1920-something.

Here's a google link to the book:

https://www.google.com/books/editio...YwA3oECAYQCA

Searching the book, I could get this

https://stamporama.com/discboard/di...=20&id=13054
Author : Rhinelander

re: D.P.O. Diplomatic Post Office?
Following up on my January 1 posting: The answer is documented in the May 2015 edition of the PMCC Bulletin. I know that because I have the annual index, but I cannot locate this edition. I probably gave it away at a stamp club meeting. This is not a journal I typically keep for reference.

In any event, distributing pot offices are part of the RPO system. A friend could actually share the exact location. The Cleveland DPO was at the railroad immediately by the Terminal Tower.

The city PO delivered mail and cancelled out going mail.

The Cleveland DPO cancelled mail received at the station with the unique DPO marking. The Cleveland postmarks used at the DPO are distinct with the large circular dial. There are many different numbers in the barrel cancel documented. I am not sure all state "DPO" in the cancel, however. Perhaps, if someone has access to the May PMCC Bulletin there will be additional information.

Arno

Has anyone seen DPO in a postmark other than Cleveland, Ohio? If not, I would suggest it refers to a Cleveland-specific office, i.e. Depot or Downtown.

Don

here is back side if it helps.

Morning all,

Look at the history of the RPO system. It replaced the distributing post office system thus the reference to how its predicesor handled the mail. I have seen several major cities use the term "terminal" station or branch to indicate the place at which train carried mail entered the city. And then, later, there is the advent of air mail which was under the prevue of the RPO system.

So It looks like it is determined that D.P.O. stands for: Distribution Post Office as part of the rail road service? So here is another circle cancel with M.O.B. at bottom. any ideas?