U.S. Postmark Types

U.S. Postmark Types

The description of postmarks types starts with an assumption that a postal marking has both a postmark and cancel. The postmark is assumed to be a medium size circular date stamp with san serif lettering.

	serifed cds
	blue serifed cds - Please note the addition of the color.
	double ring cds
	double ring cds, circled gird - Note the description of both the postmark and the cancel.
	star in duplex
	serifed double ring cds, target
	target
	tall oval target
	cork killer
	doane 1/2 - The first number refers to the type. Type 1 doanes have 5 thin bars. The second number is the postmasters compensation.
	doane 2/4 - The first number refers to the type. Type 2 doanes have 4 hollow bars and lightly serifed lettering. The second number is the postmasters compensation.
	doane 3/4 - The first number refers to the type. Type 3 doanes have 4 thick bars and san serifed. lettering. The second number is the postmasters compensation .It can be hard to read the numbers on the dark stamps they usually appear. Doane type 3 cancels and 4a-bar cancel can look alike. When you see a narrow spaced 4-bar cancel, check with an outside source to see if it is a doane. You can use: http://www.doanecancel.com/doane.html for many states.
	4a-bar - The a type 4 bat has narrow spaced bars, typically used from about 1908 to the mid 1920's
	4b-bar - The b type 4 bar has wide spaced bars typically used form about the mid 1910's to the early 1920's.
	4c-bar - The c type 4 bar has lightly serifed lettering and wide spaced bars. It was typically used from the early 1920's to the late 1930's.
	4e-bar - The e type 4 bar has the town name and state name on the top of the cancel. It was typically used in the 1930's. It is sometimes referred to as a depression area 4 bar.
	4f-bar -The f type 4 bar has wide spaced bars and san serif lettering. It was used from the mid 1930's to the 1950's.
	violet double ring - Typically on the reverse of a registered cover.
	numeral duplex