More Postal Markings On Stamps


The first three images on this page show large Undated Oval Cancels that were used to cancel mail that was dropped of in the Worcester Post Office and were delivered locally in the city of Worcester. One could consider this junk mail of its time. However, the cancels shown are rare and desireable examples of the humble oval. The "Star In Oval" cancels are especially scarce.


The first image depicts a large, plain Undated Oval cancel. The outer oval measures 43 mm x 22 mm.


Large Worcester Undated Oval Cancel

Worcester
Large Plain
Double Oval Cancel


The next image shows one of the two large Undated "Star In Oval" cancels that were used in Worcester. Note the small ellipses on each side of the star. The major distinguishing feature between the two "Star In Oval" cancels is the orientation of the points of the star. In this first example, the point of the star which lies on the vertical centerline through the cancel is found on the bottom of the cancel. Also, the size and style of the text in this cancel differs significantly from the other "Star In Oval" cancel shown below. The outer oval measures 43 mm x 29 mm. I shall refer to this large undated "Star In Oval" cancel as Type I - Vertical Star Point Down.


Large Worcester Undated Star In Oval Cancel - Ty I

Worcester
Large Star In Oval
Double Oval Cancel
Type 1 - Star Point Down


The next image shows the second large undated "Star In Oval" Worcester cancels. This style cancel has large ellipses on each side of the central star. Note, however, that the point of the star which lies on the vertical centerline through the cancel is found at the top of the cancel. Compare the text style in this cancel to the one above. The outer oval measures 43 mm x 29 mm. I shall refer to this large undated "Star In Oval" cancel as Type II - Vertical Star Point Up.


Large Worcester Undated Star In Oval Cancel - Ty II

Worcester
Large Star In Oval
Double Oval Cancel
Type II - Star Point Up


The next image shows an unusual use of an undated Double Oval Parcel Post marking. This Third Class mailing, as demonstrated by similar covers in my possession, should have received a Machine Cancel. The dial of the Machine Cancel would have had the Month and Day slugs removed, leaving only the Year, 1913. Perhaps the machine was broken. Whatever the reason, this is a rare usage of a Parcel Post cancel on non-parcel mail. The ovals of the cancel measure 30 mm x 22.5 mm and 18 mm x 16.5 mm. As an aside, the illustrated cover on which this cancel was used is a real beauty. It has a very large multicolor ad for Bird Books. It shows a bald eagle sitting in a tree overlooking a lake. See Lot #652 in Herb LaTuchie's Auction #28, May 20, 1995.


Worcester Oval Parcel Post Marking

Worcester
Double Oval
Parcel Post Marking
Used On Cover
Circa 1913


The next image shows another undated Doulbe Oval marking used to cancel a booklet pane of stamps (entire booklet pane not shown) on a Special Delivery letter. Note the "M" in the center of the oval. I have yet to determine the significance of the "M" letter. I welcome any suggestions!


Worcester Oval Marking

Worcester
Double Oval Marking
M In Oval
Used On Cover
Circa 1923


The next image shows another undated Doulbe Oval marking used to cancel the Official Seals that were applied to an undeliverable letter by the Worcester Post Office. The Official Seals were used to reseal a letter that was opened to deterimine the name and address of the sender so that the letter could be returned. Note the "DLO" in the center of the oval which stands for Dead Letter Office.


Worcester Oval Marking

Worcester
Double Oval Marking
DLO In Oval
Used On Cover
On Official Seal OX18
Circa 1938


The next image shows a very rare ornate Oval Date Stamp from the Quinsigamond, Massachusetts Post Office. The Quinsigamond Post Office was not located near Lake Quinsigamond as one would think but in the area of Worcester known as Quinsigamond Village. The South Works of American Steel and Wire Company was located in "The Village". The Quinsigamond Post Office became Station C of Worcester. Notice also the Pointing Hand Fancy Cancel!


Qunisigamond Oval With Fancy Cancel

Quinsigamond
Worcester Branch Station Forerunner
Ornate Oval With
Pointing Hand
Fancy Cancel
Circa 1889


The next image shows another very rare cancel from the Quinsigamond, Massachusetts Post Office. This is a Duplex Double Ring CDS with a Solid Five-Point Star Fancy Cancel.


Qunisigamond CDS With Fancy Cancel

Quinsigamond
Worcester Branch Station Forerunner
Duplex Double Ring CDS
With Solid Five-Point Star
Fancy Cancel
Circa 1891


The next image shows a very rare cancel from the Lakeview, Massachusetts Post Office. This is a CDS with a Four-Ring Bullseye Cancel. Lakeview became Station D and then Station 2 of Worcester.


Lakeview CDS With Bullseye Cancel

Lakeview
Worcester Branch Station Forerunner
CDS With Four-Ring Bullseye Cancel
Circa 1894


The next image shows another exceedingly rare cancel from the Barbers, Massachusetts Post Office. This is a CDS with a Four-Ring Bullseye Cancel. Barbers was located near Barber's Crossing which is in the Greendale area of Worcester. This office evolved into the Greendale Branch Office of the Worcester Post Office system.


Barbers CDS With Bullseye Cancel

Barbers
Worcester Branch Station Forerunner
CDS With Four-Ring Bullseye Cancel
Circa 1888


The next two images show an exceedingly rare cancel from the Quinsigamond, Massachusetts Post Office. The lettering in the oval cancel indicates that it is the Postmaster's Cancel from the Quinsigamond Post Office used by Mr V P Townsed in 1884. The oval cancel has been struck on the sealing flap of a USPOD Registered Package. The entire envelope is shown in its entirety in the second image of this next pair.


Quinsigamond Postmaster Oval Cancel

Quinsigamond
Postmaster Oval Cancel
Circa 1884


This image shows the entire USPOD Registered Package on which the Quinsigamond Postmaster Cancel is struck.


Quinsigamond USPOD Registered Package

Quinsigamond
Postmaster Oval Cancel
On USPOD Registered Package
Circa 1884


The last two cancels on this page represent some more modern uses. They are special cancels used to commemmorate philatelic events or shows that were held in Worcester.

The first was used at the Precanel Stamp Society Convention to commemmorate its meeting in Worcester at the Hotel Bancroft in 1955.


PSS Convention Cancel

Worcester
Precancel Stamp Society
Commemmorative Cancel
Circa 1955


This cancel was used at the special Galleria Station as part of the philatelic show WORPEX I which was held in Worcester in 1978.


WORPEX I Show Cancel

Worcester
WORPEX I Show Cancel
Circa 1978


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