U311 cut square, UPSS Die 88, fancy cancel pumpkin face with large droopy eyes

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

U311

Stamp Type

Postal Stationery

Condition

Used

Stamp Format

Single

Topic

People - Politicians

Year of Issue

1890

Item Description

33x44mm. This cut square is Scott U311, green indicium on laid white paper. The United Postal Stationery Society (UPSS) identifies this as Die 88. This copy includes a partial UPSS watermark 8. The obliterator design on this stamp is one of two copies found among thousands of off-paper stamps and cut squares collected from businesses at Union City, Indiana, in the early 1890s. The other copy was a U311 cut square as well. Most of the readable postmarks from this accumulation are from 1891 to 1893. The material was bundled or boxed in a manner that left most of it very well protected from damage and aging for over a century. This item has never been mounted in a collection.

Although mail was coming to Union City from all over the country in the 1890s, much of it seemed to be coming from small cities and towns in Indiana and Ohio and to a lesser degree from smaller communities in other nearby states. In other words, most of the fancy and geometric cancels probably originated within 150 to 200 miles of Union City. The origin of this cancel is unknown. However, several dozen U311 cut squares in the accumulation appear to have been cancelled at a single post office using rubber bottle stoppers with two holes. The stopper size varies and the size and shape of the “eyes” varies as well. These may have originated at nearby Winchester, Indiana, but that is speculative for now.

Most types of the Die 88 stamped envelopes and cut squares are common. However, a wide range of inking problems during their production resulted in a long list of inking varieties. In addition, several die varieties have been identified. Many Die 88 cut squares display a few oddities that may be related to inking problems rather than being die varieties. This copy seems to have only one distinguishing characteristics and that is the green ink line around the hair queue ribbon at the back of the neck. That ink line is relatively common.

An ongoing study of the Die 88 type indicium and its varieties is presented online. Contact me if you are interested in finding that website.

You may combine this item with other stamp sale lots to save on shipping. Thank you for looking.

All stamps are carefully packaged for safe delivery.

APS Member

Seller Information

Seller

keesindy (4624)

Registered Since

04/11/2016

Feedback

100%

Store

Stamps from Keesindy

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Item Location

Indiana, United States

Ships To

United States

Shipping Instructions

About 3½ years ago, I stopped selling and shipping outside the US due to new postal rules and rapidly rising costs. The USPS is raising postal rates again in January 2019. Today, December 25, 2018, due to the continuing rise in the cost of postage and associated fees, I am reluctantly raising my general shipping fee for the first time in many years. My sales here at HipStamp involve no additional charge for the purchase of multiple stamps. Shipping is via USPS unless otherwise specified. Be sure to contact me before making your purchases if you have questions.

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

All items may be returned unless otherwise stated in the listing. Of course, I cannot be responsible if uninsured items are damaged during shipping. If you are dissatisfied with a purchase, contact me within 7 days of your receipt of the item to make arrangements for returning it. If I have made an error in my listing or the item is not as described, you will receive a full reimbursement plus the pre-agreed-upon cost to return the item.