U312 cut square, UPSS Die 88, amber paper (?), Troy Ohio 1892 CDS / ellipse, EFO

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

U312

Stamp Type

Postal Stationery

Condition

Used

Stamp Format

Error

Topic

People - Politicians

Year of Issue

1890

Item Description

44x57mm. This large cut square is Scott U312, green indicium on laid amber (?) paper. The United Postal Stationery Society (UPSS) identifies this as Die 88. This copy does not include any portion of a watermark. The 1892 cancellation includes a partial circular date stamp from Troy, Ohio, and an elliptical target style obliterator. The paper color is a question mark. This is one of two large cut squares (from different post offices) with this paper color. They are slightly darker than amber paper and less yellow; they are much too light to be amber manila and have too much color to be creamy white. The top and right edges of this copy show some paper toning or discoloration. The bottom right-hand corner is creased and folded onto the back of the cut square. The top appears to have been nibbled by a rodent. (We have no idea where or how these thousands of cut squares were stored prior to the 1960s.)

Only a few dozen of the cut squares collected at Union City, Indiana (explained below), are large enough to include the addressee’s business name. Several of those were addressed to a supply company and the handwritten “…pply Co.” on this cut square identifies it as one of that group. The Knapp Supply Company was the only supply company identified in the 1890 Sanborn™ fire insurance map set for Union City. The company had been dealers in plumbing, steam and gas fitting supplies since 1874, shortly before the large Trenton natural gas field was discovered and developed. The subsequent industrialization of the region probably kept the Knapp company very busy for many years and would have generated a lot of mail. The company was relocated to Muncie, Indiana, in the 1920s and is still in business.

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. Troy, Ohio is located 34 miles east-southeast of Union City.

Most types of the Die 88 stamped envelopes and cut squares are common. However, 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 inking problems rather than being die varieties. The most interesting characteristic of this copy involved the bottom bar of the letter “E” in both UNITED and in STATES. They are serifed. The Union City cut squares include at least 100 examples where two or all three letter “Es” in UNITED STATES POSTAGE are serifed to a greater or lesser degree. Where they exist at all, the serifs are usually less obvious than those on this example.

An ongoing study of the Die 88 type indicium and its varieties is presented online. Contact me if you are interested in finding that website.

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Seller Information

Seller

keesindy (4692)

Registered Since

04/11/2016

Feedback

100%

Store

Stamps from Keesindy

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.