About the Machine Cancel Society

This page contains information about the Society.

Membership Application

Please consider joining us! Here is an application to join the Machine Cancel Society.

History

The Machine Cancel Society has its roots in the Flag Cancel Society, formed over thirty years ago. The last Flag Cancel Society Constitution was adopted November 28, 1981. The Flag Cancel Society was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio. The Corporate Charter was submitted on June 4, 1982, and signed by Ralph Grumke, the late Andy Buckland, and Bart Billings. The State of Ohio accepted its filing as a non-profit corporation on June 7, 1982. The Internal Revenue Service gave the Society a provisional status as a non-profit organization on September 22, 1982. In a subsequent letter dated April 30, 1985, the IRS formerly recognized the Society as an "exempt" non-profit organization under 501(c)(3) of the Code, for the reason that we are an educational society of the type described in sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).

On May 1, 1987, the Flag Cancel Society amended its name to the Machine Cancel Society, as well as its Charter to reflect its change in mission from studying only Flag Cancels to studying ALL machine markings.

Benefits of Membership in the Society

  1. Machine Cancel Forum: Quarterly journal sent to members in January, April, July, and October with a variety of articles on all phases of machine cancel collecting.

  2. Society Auction: Presented with each issue of Forum, here is an opportunity to buy and sell choice machine cancel covers. Covers are pictured in Forum. Photocopies of lots are available. The Auction is currently headed by Don Pearson. Please refer to the Machine Cancel Society Officers Page or inside front cover of any issue of Forum for the address of the Auction Manager.

  3. Questions about a particular postmark? Study group leaders head the investigation of machine cancels in their specific field of expertise. Please refer to the Machine Cancel Society Officers and Study Group Leaders Page or inside front cover of any issue of Forum for for contact information. Have a question that does not fit into any category, or you do not know the category? The Machine Cancel Forum has a special column called "Members' Column." Place your question there by sending it to the editor. [You can also email your questions to Bob Swanson, the webmaster for the Machine Cancel Society. His email address is: bobswansonp5Zkjkjdh3h2h3h23h@protonmail398euru45ury3y3y.com5kjkwhdgeg3f2ghdgrg5. He will try to answer your question, or, failing that, send it on to an appropriate specialist.]

  4. Need more information about a particular postmark or machine? Chances are the Society has a book on it! Check the Machine Cancel Society Publications List for a listing of all current Society publications. Most of these books are loose leaf, not only to keep their prices down, but also to allow you, the reader, to decide how you wish to bind them.


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Updated February 16, 2020

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