Doane cancellations and what they are.

[krash]

OK, we have all (at least I have anyway) at one time or another either run across examples in our cover collections or have seen listings labeled as Doane cancels and wondered "what the heck is that?" Well this is what the heck they are!

In 1903 The United States Post Office produced a new type of rubber handstamp for use by the smaller fourth class post offices in an attempt to improve the legibility of their post marks. This type of cancel is called a Doane Cancel and is named for Edith R. Doane, the postal historian who first made a study of these cancels during the 1950s. Edith published her research findings in 1978.

Here is a decent website on the subject of Doane cancellations if your interested? - www.doanecancel.com/doane.html

Doane cancel Type #1.

[krash]

Doane cancel type #2 .& #3.

[krash]

Doane type #4 and the 4 Bar Cancel.

[krash]

(it gets a bit muddy here) almost a crossover point from the Doane to the 4 Bar.

[krash]

You may post your examples here if you wish.

[Deleted]

I realize that this is an elementary-level question.  What distinguishes a Doane cancel from the four bar version?  Is it simply the lack of the number? 

Thanks.

[kannik]

These are very interesting ... I just LOVE the idea that Ms. Doane felt
she had to "kill" the stamp with those "killer bars" - and she obviously
got away with it in many, many cases! I`ll keep my eyes open for them,
but most of my U.S. stamps are soaked and would just show the "killer"
part now. I`ll watch for them on cut squares, post cards and covers,
though. Thanks for the information, though, krash!