U311 cut square, UPSS Die 88, Bellefontaine Ohio geometric round 4-segment flare

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

49x57mm (measured at top and right side). This cut square is Scott U311 green indicium on 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 postmark is Bellefontaine, Ohio and the displayed date is October 19, 1892. The geometric design of the hand-carved killer is very similar to others from the same hoard (explained below). However, this was a common design and distinguishing one from another can be difficult.

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 no apparent die varieties.

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. Bellefontaine is located about 55 miles east-northeast of Union City.

An ongoing study of the Die 88 type indicium 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 (4648)

Registered Since

04/11/2016

Feedback

100%

Store

Stamps from Keesindy

• Sales

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.