U311 cut squares (2), UPSS Die 88, matching variety details, So. Whitley, Ind.

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

39x42mm and 43x49mm. These cut squares are Scott U311. The United Postal Stationery Society (UPSS) identifies them as Die 88 and both have partial UPSS watermark 8. The partial circular date stamps are probably from South Whitley, Indiana.

These items have never been mounted in a collection. They were among 11-12,000 cut squares collected from businesses in the early 1890s at Union City, Indiana. 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.

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 150 to 200 miles of Union City. In the case of South Whitley, it is located about 75 miles northwest of Union City.

Most types of the Die 88 stamped envelopes and cut squares are common. 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 the inking problems rather than being die varieties. For example, the inking of the two ornaments varies widely, but the inking in these two examples is virtually identical. Also, these two copies contain multiple matching die variety indications as well. The following are some of the obvious examples.

Both copies have nubs on the left side of the “P” and the bottom of the “O” in POSTAGE. The letter “E” in the words UNITED, STATES and POSTAGE is serifed. The downstroke of the numeral “2” is squared at the bottom. These characteristics, individually or in combination, exist among the thousands of Union City Die 88s, but I do not yet have a good handle on what those numbers might be.

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Seller Information

Seller

keesindy (4603)

Registered Since

04/11/2016

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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.