Numeric Machine Cancels

I came across some numeric machine cancels and am curious as to where they come from. The cancels only appear to be on stamps from the late 1940s to the late 1960s. The numbers are from 1 to 8 only. Any ideas on where they are from?

They are from larger cities where more than one canceller is used


Peter

Go to the Postal History Corner site which will give you some info.

https://postalhistorycorner.blogspo...lations.html

Thanks lithograving, that was exatly the type of thing I was looking for! My information lines up with what was in that article. I did find 1s, though, and 4s were by far the most common.

I wonder what the numbers mean. Perhaps it's the route that the mail was picked up on. I'll have to search for covers to test that theory. I only have stamps at the moment, and they have no further clue as to what the numbers mean.

Here in the States the numbers just meant a different canceller - sometimes a different station used when busy. That is why you'll find these in larger post offices


Peter

Numbers in handstamps and machine cancels may mean different things in different countries, cities, and eras. There is *no* universal answer. Each situation should be evaluated on its own facts.