U311 cut square, UPSS Die 88 unlisted creamy paper, geometric bullseye 4-ring

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

34x40mm. The Scott catalog doesn’t distinguish between the green indicium on white paper (U311) and this green indicium on creamy white paper. The United Postal Stationery Society (UPSS) catalog shows the creamy white color among the paper colors produced, but doesn't list this color separately from the white Die 88 envelopes. The second image compared the back side of this cut square with a normal white cut square. This copy shows no indication of a watermark. The geometric cancel is a large 4-ring bullseye design. The post office of origin is unknown. This item has some light soiling.

This item has never been mounted in a collection. It was among 11-12,000 cut squares collected from Union City, Indiana, businesses. Although a few cut squares may have been collected across the state line in Union City, Ohio, I have found no evidence of that. Most of the readable postmarks are from 1891 to 1893, with the majority from 1892. However, there were also postmarks from the 1880s. Among the thousands of Union City Die 88 cut squares, I have found only 23 examples of the creamy white paper color, including two more with this large 4-ring bullseye cancel.

Although mail was coming to Union City from all over the country, 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 200 miles of Union City. This large bullseye cancel is not common in the Union City hoard. I have found eight of the Die 88 cut squares with this bullseye cancel, but most have considerably thicker lines.

Most types of the Die 88 stamped envelopes and cut squares are common. However, a wide range of inking problems and a long list of die varieties have been identified. The most obvious inking issue with this copy is the white spot between the “E” and “S” of STATES. I have found 20 examples of this characteristic among the thousands of Union City Die 88s. Most of the other examples have a more distinct spot than does this copy.

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Seller Information

Seller

keesindy (4614)

Registered Since

04/11/2016

Feedback

100%

Store

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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.