Cover of the Month -- December 2005

December 14, 2005

Old Stamp, Newer Cancel

by Bob Swanson

old stamp from Great Lakes

This item is from my First World War collection, but shows an interesting usage of old stamps during the War period. The 1902 series, a very beautiful set of engraved stamps, was used into 1909, when it started to be replaced by the Washington-Franklin issues. This particular stamp was issued in 1903. By 1910 and onward, these stamps had pretty much disappeared from use. My experience has shown that after the postal rates were raised in 1917, and the military training camps were filling up with soldiers, every effort was made to find any available postage. A number of interesting usages appear in November 1917.

However, this stamp was used in October 1918, probably 10 years after issue! Not only that, but the letter is overpaid by a cent, since the first class rate in 1918 was normally 3 cents. The American flag cancel (A-38) is the "U.S. Receiving Ship" killer, which is first seen used October 15, 1918. So there you have it, an old stamp with a much newer cancel!

Please email comments to author. Bob's email address (in plain English) is:

rds <at> swansongrp < dot > com

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