U311 cut square, UPSS Die 88, Kenton Ohio fancy cancel, CDS October 24, 1892 EFO

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

56x58mm. This cut square is Scott U311 green indicium on white paper. The United Postal Stationery Society (UPSS) identifies this indicium as Die 88 and this copy does not include any watermark. The cancel includes most of a Kenton, Ohio, CDS with the date October 24, 1892. The obliterator design is unclear. This is one of two Kenton cancels on U311 cut squares. The other copy is dated October 25, 1982.

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.

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. Kenton, Ohio, is located about 70 miles northeast of Union City

The Die 88 stamped envelope indicia were printed in huge quantities. They display a wide variety of inking problems (including setoffs) and die varieties that fall under the EFO (errors, freaks and oddities) umbrella. Except for a few newly identified items that are yet to be confirmed, these characteristics are repeating and documented; some display progressive characteristics. On this copy, the tooth above the letters AG of POSTAGE is inked. Also, the letter "E" in UNITED and in STATES has a serifed bottom bar and the crown of the shield at the bottom of the indicium is much more shallow than normal.

The handwritten “Co” below the cancel is part of the addressee’s business name. This item was probably collected at the Knapp Supply Company offices in Union City, Indiana. Many of the cut squares described above were from covers that had been addressed to a supply company. The most likely recipient was Knapp Supply Co., dealing in plumbing, steam and gas fitting supplies since 1874. Union City was located at the south edge of the Trenton natural gas field that led to the industrial boom in the region in the late 19th century. The Knapp Supply Company was the only supply company identified in the 1890 Sanborn™ fire insurance map set for Union City and was probably very busy in those days. The company relocated to Muncie, Indiana, in the 1920s and is still in business.

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Seller Information

Seller

keesindy (4648)

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.