U311 cut square, UPSS Die 88 var., Arcanum Ohio fancy cancel geometric grid 3x4

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

40x48mm. This cut square is Scott U311 green indicium on very white paper. The United Postal Stationery Society (UPSS) identifies these 2c Washington envelopes with this particular indicium as Die 88 and this copy has a partial UPSS watermark 8. The cancel is a hand-carved round geometric design divided into three segments across and four segments vertically.

Inking problems are common on the Die 88 stamped envelopes and they have resulted in a long list of inking varieties. In addition, several die varieties have been identified. Most cut squares display a few oddities that may be related to inking problems rather than being die varieties. This copy has a few issues that may be die varieties. The most obvious is the notch in the outer frame line below the right side of the shield and the letter A of POSTAGE being filled. I have found four copies with this same pair of variations.

This item has never been mounted in a collection. It was among 11-12,000 cut squares that had been collected from businesses in the early 1890s at Union City, Indiana, and possibly across the state line in Union City, Ohio. Most of the readable postmarks are from 1891 to 1893, with the majority from 1892. Stamps were collected from the businesses as well, including about 8,500 copies of Scott 219, 219D and 220x and about 3,600 Scott 230 and 231 Columbian Exposition stamps. A few hundred stamps and cut squares issued prior to 1890 were also included.

The stamps in that hoard had been soaked from the envelopes. Everything was sorted and tied tightly into bundles (each containing 100 stamps or cut squares) using string and sewing thread. I inherited and began unpacking the bundles in 2000. With few exceptions, the tightly packed stamps had been very well protected from damage for over a century.

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 were from Indiana, Ohio and the surrounding states. Arcanum is located 20 miles southeast of Union City and I have found about 20 other cut squares from Arcanum in the hoard along with a few others that are probably from Arcanum. Where the year is readable in the partial CDSs, all are from 1892 except one from 1893. The killers on many are indistinct. Most of the killers seem to be circular geometrics, but none matches this one as far as I can tell.

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Seller Information

Seller

keesindy (4626)

Registered Since

04/11/2016

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Item Location

Indiana, United States

Ships To

United States

Shipping Instructions

There is no additional charge for the purchase of multiple stamps. Shipping is via US First Class Mail unless otherwise specified. Insurance is required on orders exceeding $50. Insurance, Registered Mail shipments and other shipping costs are extra at the buyer's expense plus $2.00 processing fee. 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.