I thought I was up to speed but.......

[geo]

I found this in a stock book I bought at a flea market, has anyone seen anything like it and do they know what it is?
It isn't in my catalogue:-

[geo]

[john6625]

My guess is that it is a stationary cutout. I think it was popular to collect these in a bygone era.

[khj]

john6625 is correct. Nice 5Apr1900 cancel! Westchester, maybe?

There was a time when "cut-to-shape" was the format used by many collectors. Now, most catalogs price them for cut squares or entires. Only on the most valuable ones, do some of the catalogs provide "cut-to-shape" prices -- and those prices are unfortunately significantly lower.

The cut square (and entires) vs. cut-to-shape debate in days gone by for postal stationery collectors does parallel in many ways to the never hinged vs. hinged debate that still rages today for unused stamps. Probably shouldn't have mentioned that.

[MikeC99]

Here is a better picture of a cut square of the image geo posted.

[geo]

Thank you for the information gentlemen.