How To See Very Faint Postal Cancelation Marks ?

I have a USPS $30.45 stamp with no visible cancelation marks, despite the fact it was hand-canceled.
How can I view cancelation marks, even if they are not visible to the human eye ???

Looking under UV can sometimes help. And there are some computer programs as well; I am sure someone who knows them will post about them.

I see a semi-circle to the right of "USA", starting between the "A" and "30.45". Regardless of whether you can see a visible cancellation or not, the stamp is used. It has fulfilled its postal purpose already and cannot legally be re-used to send another package. Even if the post office forgot to cancel it, to reuse a stamp is a federal crime of mail fraud and the penalties can be harsh if prosecuted.

I agree that UV is one method to detect the cancellation, or holding the stamp at an angle against a bright light or sunlight can make it easier to see a reflection of the cancellation.

Aside from the cancellation, trying to soak the stamp can result in it becoming wrinkled which is a sure sign of re-use. Also trying to cut the stamp off the envelope and paste the stamp-on-paper onto a new envelope will generate odd looks and scrutiny.

You may want to give ImageSleuth a try, it is free software.

Here is the introductory video:




However, in this case, due to the very dark background of the stamp, it may or may not give useful results.
Clive

You might be able to see the part of the cancel on the lower left corner if you hold the stamp at an angle to a bright light source.

The whole cancel looks as though it should read Grand Central Post Office, New York NY 10017-9998. The AL of Central and part of the P of Post should be on the stamp, along with part of the outer circle.

Phil

The paper and inks of many modern U.S. stamps do not accept cancelling ink very well. The result is nothing better than a smudge as any ink is smeared before it has any chance to be absorbed or dry.
That appears to be the case here and no amount of eyeballing or technology will reveal anything readable on the stamp.
I agree, from the cancel portions on the envelope, it is from Grand Central Post Office. I would move on to other projects.