DK
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Posts: 1,568
What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 2:21:40 GMT
I thought I would start a thread on the cancellation types employed by the New Zealand Post Office - ranging from 'A' class to 'J' class, reliefs and also obliterators etc. We can incorporate all facets of cancellations on this thread but personally I would like to see it focus on the human applied handstamps & manuscripts - as against later machine cancellations and slogan postmarks. Cancellers began life in New Zealand with the introduction of 36 brass and wooden handled instruments - Obliterators - sent with the original Perkins Bacon printing press along with the plates and all the necessary materials required for the local colonial authorities to print and issue their own postage stamps. They were sent out to the colony in 1854 and arrived in New Zealand in February of 1855.   Dave |
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DK
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Posts: 1,568
What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 2:49:06 GMT
There are many types of cancellation methods & types to be found on NZ postage stamps.
Obliterators - both by PB and local produced
Manuscripts - used when a cancelling device was not available or not issued to a particular office
Duplex's - dual obliterator / date stamp
Date Stamps - many types from A thru' to J class
Reliefs - used solely as a temporary cancellation
Later on machine cancellations became popular in the larger towns and cities as mail volumes increased.
Cancellations were usually applied at the receiving Post Office but as time moved on cancellations were commonly applied while in transit or after arrival at the destination.
Of the transit applied types train and boat were the main modes of transport they were applied on.
Train applied cancellations are usually termed 'Travelling Railroad Post Offices' while the ones applied at sea are termed 'Marine Post Offices'.
Some mail made it thru' to their destination uncancelled and were usually cancelled upon arrival by the local receiving office. This would account for foreign postmarks appearing on local stamps.
Of the circular date stamps there are 7 main types :
'A' class or 'coin' cancel
'B' class used mainly in the larger offices and by the military and other abnormal uses
'C' class very similar to the 'J' class but have a time symbol in the dateline
'F' class or 'squared circle' commonly used around the world
'G' class or 'concentric cirlce' introduced to Post Offices between 1894 to 1911
'H' class or 'English cancellation' introduced into NZ in the late 1890's. Resembles the standard 'English' type of the time hence the name
'J' class brought the introduction of the 'modern' Circular Date Stamp (CDS).
'Relief' date stamps are underrated. Used as a temporary measure only when the supplied date stamp was broken or lost and awaiting a replacement.
Dave
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DK
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Posts: 1,568
What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 3:06:14 GMT
Some Perkins Bacon obliterators to follow :         There were 36 of these sent out by Perkins Bacon of London, England to New Zealand in 1854. There were 2 of each of 18 numbers - 1 thru' to 18. These barred numerals are often abbreviated to BN (Barred Numeral) or PB BN (Perkins Bacon Barred Numeral). Numbers 6 / 9 are debatable. New Plymouth was allocated BN 9, and 6 was not used as it was possibly going to be confused with 9! Some broke over time and were replaced with locally made obliterators. Some went on to provide years of use such as the BN 5 (Timaru) in the picture above. Dave |
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 3:14:20 GMT
One of the rarest of the Perkins Bacon Barred Numerals is '13' - of Rangitikei (now Bulls).  Please keep an eye out for this one. It is very desirable ! Dave |
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 3:19:42 GMT
Manuscripts Used by the local postmaster - usually smaller offices - when no canceller had been issued to it or was not otherwise available. This method was used right up until 1926 when the 'Relief' canceller was introduced to avoid the use of a manuscript.    Dave |
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gc
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Post by gc on May 1, 2022 3:37:24 GMT
Hi Dave Great thread, well down. Do covers count ? Here is one from my collection. A rare 3 of Waipawa, and I believe even rare on proving cover. The stamp is SG133 large star watermark, paying the town letter rate between 1/2 and 1 oz. Waipawa opened 1st July 1859 
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DK
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Posts: 1,568
What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 3:38:58 GMT
Duplex's Used to speed up the process of cancelling mail with both an obliterator and a date stamp with one operation. 2 parts to the cancellation - an obliterator to cancel the stamp and a date stamp to show place and time of being received. Some Christchurch examples follow:  A composite image taken from vol.3 of the RPSNZ handbooks. Dave |
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 3:42:46 GMT
Of course it counts Grant.
It's all about the cancellation - either on stamp or cover (or both).
Nice one.
Is there any more background to that cancel you'd like to share with us? How, why, where etc etc
Cheers
Dave
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DK
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Posts: 1,568
What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 3:50:18 GMT
A barred numeral duplex of Invercargill:  Dave |
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 4:01:56 GMT
Circular Date Stamp types (CDS) 'A' class The most popular cancellation type to be collected! The size of a 10c piece & thus referred to as a 'coin date stamp'. Introduced in the general sense around 1880 - but earlier types were in use years before. The following pictures show the general type which has a format of NZ / Office name / Date / Index (time zone of day) Neat & easily readable. The small size and long period of use has provided the collector with good quantities or at least a good chance of finding a fine, complete strike of most offices. The small size is the key to this postmark as full and complete strikes are found on even the smallest of stamps - such as the halfpenny 'Newspaper' stamp.    Dave |
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DK
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Posts: 1,568
What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 4:21:55 GMT
Circular Date Stamp types (CDS) 'B' class Used by relatively few offices - includes military and abnormal uses. Otherwise used at larger offices and often in conjunction with other types. Standard format is office in arc at top / index or time / date / NZ Period of use from approx. 1894 to 1970's but most usage seen in the 1905-1920 period.  Apologies for this b/w image - I couldn't quickly find another in my collection. I will add one when I find one. Dave |
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 4:33:01 GMT
Circular Date Stamp types (CDS) 'C' class Commonly confused with its cousin the 'J' class. The main difference between the 'C' & 'J' class date stamps is that the 'C' class has a time symbol in the date line. The 'J' class does not. The general format is as follows : Office / Date & time / NZ  Dave |
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gc
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Post by gc on May 1, 2022 4:35:53 GMT
Duplex's Used to speed up the process of cancelling mail with both an obliterator and a date stamp with one operation. 2 parts to the cancellation - an obliterator to cancel the stamp and a date stamp to show place and time of being received. Some Christchurch examples follow: A composite image taken from vol.3 of the RPSNZ handbooks. Dave Here is a CHCH duplex on cover. It is a SG43 large star watermark, paying the 1/2 oz 6d rate to the UK. Sent on 15th July 1864  |
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gc
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Post by gc on May 1, 2022 4:40:15 GMT
A barred numeral duplex of Invercargill: Dave Here is a cover bearing the Invercargill duplex. It is a SG125 large star watermark perf 12.5, paying the correct rate to Germany. Germany was one of a few counties where 1/- was the correct rate. This cover travelled via Panama. Cover left Invercargill 2nd May 1868. Covers to Germany are rare.  |
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 4:40:26 GMT
Circular Date Stamp Types 'F' class or 'squared circle' commonly used around the world of a standard design. The popularity of this type of postmark, together with its relative scarce use by NZ Post Offices makes this type that little bit more sought after. The earliest use in NZ was around 1883 & last used around 1975 at the Eureka Post Office. Due to its size a stamp multiple, a piece or a cover is required to get a complete strike.  Dave |
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 4:53:24 GMT
Circular Date Stamp Types 'G' class or 'concentric circle' A short lived type introduced to Post Offices between 1894 & 1911. Another cancel requiring a stamp multiple or piece or cover to get a complete strike. 3 (or 4) multiple rings around the outside, its format consisted of Name / Index or time / Date / NZ Unpopular with collectors and prone to overinking causing smudging it was not widely kept and often discarded.  Dave |
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DK
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Posts: 1,568
What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 5:02:37 GMT
Circular Date Stamp Types 'H' class or 'English Cancellation' Introduced into New Zealand in the 1890's and issued to 450 offices. It resembles the 'English' type of cancellation of the time thus the name 'English' type. It was used not only at GPO's but also by the Railway Travelling Post Offices, Telegraph, Marine and Dead Letter offices. Many rare offices in this group with a high percentage being 'uncommon'.  Dave |
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DK
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 5:11:59 GMT
Circular Date Stamp Types 'J' class The 'J' class brought the modern CDS format. (Modern for that time!) Can be a quite large cancellation - sizes vary from 25mm to 35mm in diameter. Issued from around 1908 these date stamps became the common form. The main difference (as explained earlier on) with the 'C' class is the lack of a time slug on the date line. Most offices issued this date stamp are quite common but in the 1915-1935 time period are to be found some uncommon ones. Most of the rarer ones are from the 1910-1930 period.  NOTE: Added a day later: The main difference between the 'C' class & the 'J' class is the fact that the time symbols are replaced by a mail number to show the time period the mail was cleared. Dave |
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on May 1, 2022 11:47:42 GMT
Very interesting, Dave. Thanks for this explanation of the cancels. I don't have many, but now I can classify them by type.
One q though... the final one from Matata, just wondering why the '773'? Obviously 1977, but the 3?
Peter
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skid
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What I collect: NZ Chalons, 1800's NZ, Thames Valley NZ, and other interesting NZ stamps
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Post by skid on May 1, 2022 18:53:49 GMT
Thanks Dave, this is great.
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DK
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Post by DK on May 1, 2022 20:38:42 GMT
Very interesting, Dave. Thanks for this explanation of the cancels. I don't have many, but now I can classify them by type.
One q though... the final one from Matata, just wondering why the '773'? Obviously 1977, but the 3?
Peter Sorry Pete, I omitted a quite important description of the 'J' class postmark layout didn't I! For the 'J' class should be added: The main difference between the 'C' class & the 'J' class is the fact that the time symbols are replaced by a mail number to show the time period the mail was cleared. Dave |
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DK
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Post by DK on May 2, 2022 3:40:39 GMT
And some 'J' class examples showing difference in the size of the postmark and also the time index number instead of the time (as per the 'C' class postmarks):  Dave |
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kasvik
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What I collect: Cancels mostly, especially Sweden Gävle and Lidingö, Switzerland Geneva, Germany Pforzheim
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Post by kasvik on May 2, 2022 22:27:44 GMT
Rare and nice. I wonder how it got launched with a PD, reaffirmed Paid in London, but somewhere picked up 6d due?
There's a rare beauty of a cancel; San Francisco-England and something (Overland?). I also like the address to a country that didn't exist yet. Anticipating! Well, by 1868 everybody got the drift. If I have it right, Frankfurt aM was still a free city at that moment. A few months later Berlin sent a thunderbolt, made it part of Prussia and the newly-created North German Postal District. But a place actually called 'Germany' still lay on the horizon.
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JeffS
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Post by JeffS on May 2, 2022 22:43:31 GMT
Not my area but I recall such markings indicating the portion of postage due the ship. Is the blue ship marking typical for tis routing?
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gc
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Post by gc on May 3, 2022 5:23:27 GMT
Hi all Yes I am very pleased to have that cover ( to Germany above ). Many of us have pondered over the 6d ( top left corner ). Some notable philatelists summize this was applied later, and does not "tie" in with the cover. Happy viewing Grant Here's another beauty cover I own. SG86 on thin no watermark perlure paper. It left Wellington 12th May 1863 bound for London via Marseilles. 1/- was the correct 1/2oz rate via Marseilles.  |
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skid
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What I collect: NZ Chalons, 1800's NZ, Thames Valley NZ, and other interesting NZ stamps
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Post by skid on May 3, 2022 7:04:36 GMT
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Post by blackcap on May 3, 2022 7:58:17 GMT
Wow what a wealth of knowledge here on this forum. Thanks for starting the thread DK, this is most fascinating. I am a bit bereft of time at the moment but will hopefully start posting some of my interesting postmarks once fully organised. The funny thing is that I have been avidly collecting for the last 2 years but not till about 6 months ago realised that postmarks was even a thing.
Met 3 committee members from the NZRPS in the weekend and had many a good conversation. Have asked to join and look forward to accessing their library.
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DK
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What I collect: Classic NZ, Closed NZ Post Offices, New Zealand Postal History, Classic Br. Empire, Pacific Islands, France
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Post by DK on May 3, 2022 8:45:11 GMT
A barred numeral duplex of Invercargill: Here is a cover bearing the Invercargill duplex. Interesting one Grant, from the point of view of the duplex cancel that is. (nice cover BTW) The date stamp portion of the duplex has twisted slightly to no longer be on the same plane as the obliterator. I seem to recall reading somewhere that some postmasters tied two separate cancellers, date stamp and obliterator, together to make a homemade duplex! I wonder if this was one such as that? Dave |
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skid
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What I collect: NZ Chalons, 1800's NZ, Thames Valley NZ, and other interesting NZ stamps
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Post by skid on May 3, 2022 9:19:08 GMT
The date stamp portion of the duplex has twisted slightly to no longer be on the same plane as the obliterator. I seem to recall reading somewhere that some postmasters tied two separate cancellers, date stamp and obliterator, together to make a homemade duplex! I wonder if this was one such as that? Dave See my Auckland on on a piece above has the same issue. |
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DK
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Post by DK on May 3, 2022 9:24:49 GMT
Indeed! It appears to have skewed also :-) Dave |
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