Collecting Terms: Postmarks & Cancellations

anglobob Hi Bob, not really. Franking refers to a postal or revenue document and the stamps there applied.

Stanley, I have to disagree, I believe that any such discussion is far more complicated than you are suggesting. Postmarks predate postage stamps and so, prior to May 1840, the first part of your definition of a postmark holds true. However, from the day the Penny Black was issued cancelling postage stamps became a priority.

Originally, the postal markings were cancels not including the date but cancellations evolved over time and it was seen to be expedient to, either include a postmark in the cancellation, or use the postmark itself as a cancellation. Indeed, in your own definition of a postmark, you have used the word cancel.

There can, surely, be no doubt that in the examples that anglobob has shown, the stamps have been cancelled by the postmarks.

I found this interesting pdf online, see here

All the best,

Daniel

Thanks for your suggestion, Vince (stanley64).  I am happy to move the discussion about the terminology to its own new thread.

Stay stampy, all!

For me who has English just as a second language, and just using it when writing it is interesting to read your views. But I have used them as the same, cancel and postmark. I follow discussion.

angore - Al

For me this is a cancellation  - visual is always better 

René


A postmark

What does Wikipedia say?

Cancellation (mail)
A cancellation (or cancel for short; French: oblitération) is a postal marking applied on a postage stamp or postal stationery to deface the stamp and to prevent its reuse. Cancellations come in a huge variety of designs, shapes, sizes, and colors. Modern cancellations commonly include the date and post office location where the stamps were mailed, in addition to lines or bars designed to cover the stamp itself. The term "postal marking" sometimes is used to refer specifically to the part that contains the date and posting location, but the term is often used interchangeably with "cancellation."[1] The portion of a cancellation that is designed to deface the stamp and does not contain writing is also called the "obliteration"[2] or killer. Some stamps are issued pre-cancelled with a printed or stamped cancellation and do not need to have a cancellation added. Cancellations can affect the value of stamps to collectors, positively or negatively. Cancellations of some countries have been extensively studied by philatelists, and many stamp collectors and postal history collectors collect cancellations in addition to the stamps themselves.
Read more


Postmark
A postmark[1] is a postal marking made on an envelope, parcel, postcard or the like, indicating the place, date and time that the item was delivered into the care of a postal service, or sometimes indicating where and when received or in transit. Modern postmarks are often applied simultaneously with the cancellation or killer that marks postage stamps as having been used. Sometimes a postmark alone is used to cancel stamps, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. Postmarks may be applied by handstamp or machine, using methods such as rollers or inkjets, while digital postmarks are a recent innovation.
Read more

If I may come back to the use by many folk , usually not stamp collectors , who use the terms “franked “ unfranked” incorrectly to mean “cancelled” or “uncancelled”. 


before the Penny black and other stamps, there was a system of privilege which gave members of Parliament and House of Lords free postage if they endorsed a letter with their signature. “Herewith my Frank” is a book examining the history of the free franking system.

With the arrival of adhesive stamps, the stamp is the frank , so a letter is franked when a stamp is applied. The postal authorities will subsequently cancel it ( usually😀)

the Italian for a postage stamp is “Franco bollo” 

I have said many times that Terminology exists in different forms in different parts of the world. With different meanings. It's the same with colours....or colors ! ( ).

There is no definite answer in my opinion. But I certainly understand your point of view.......no matter who you are or where you live. 

From my previous post.

Gibbons......"Postmarks therefore include cancellations of all kinds."

From Scott catalogue: "cancellations include both postmarks used as cancellations and obliterations intended primarily to cancel (or "kill")the stamp.

So that's it, all sorted.

I'm off to sort my PNC's !! 

Londonbus1