judith
Member 
currently everything and anything up to 1968
Posts: 121 
|
Post by judith on Jan 12, 2018 8:05:25 GMT
Is this a form of precancellation? I've not seen this before.  |
|
Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485 
|
Post by Jerry B on Jan 12, 2018 10:23:49 GMT
Hi Judith
It might be a stamp used for telegraph purposes. Some South American countries punched stamps that were used for telegraph purposes. One could find stamps with other than round holes.
Jerry B
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2018 13:34:10 GMT
As noted by Jerry, From 1865-1870 Spain & colonies issued specific telegraph stamps. They say TELEGRAPHOS on them. Until about 1901 dual duty (Regular and telegraph) stamps were issued The ones specifically from Spain itself have the word COMMUNICACIONES on them and those used for telegraphs have a 4mm hole in them. Very few catalogs publish prices on them, or even mention them. Galves has a 1960 edition that is very hard to find. I believe hole punched stamps are worth considerably less. Note - this is from memory so my dates may not be accurate A few telegraphs from eBay  |
|
Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
|
Post by Beryllium Guy on Jan 12, 2018 14:52:26 GMT
judith , does this stamp have its full gum on the back or is the gum already gone? In my experience, if the stamp still has its full gum, then it may have been demonetized or intentionally defaced for sale to collectors. If the gum is gone, then it more likely was affixed to a document or envelope and punched as a method of cancellation. Edit: Below is an example from Great Britain of a stamp "on piece" which has had both CDS (circular date stamp) postmark and hole-punch cancellations applied, and as Jerry B and @falshung mentioned, the hole-punch may indicate a telegraph rather than postal use. I looked up your stamp in a 2017 Scott Catalogue (it is Puerto Rico #96, 1-centavo blue green), but could not find any notes about hole-punch cancellations. 
|
|
judith
Member
currently everything and anything up to 1968
Posts: 121
|
Post by judith on Jan 13, 2018 2:22:52 GMT
Thank you all for the information. The only gum on the back of the stamp seems to be from the remains of the hinge, part of which can be seen in the top of the hole. I guess this puts it in the back of the book category, if I ever get around to really detailed sorting. So far it is just my only Puerto Rican stamp.
|
|
