This online database is a listing with illustrations of American hand-stamped and manuscript town postmarks by states including Colonial and Territorial periods. U.S. Possessions and Unorganized Territories, from the early 1700's through June 1, 1861.
All measurements are given in millimeters to the nearest full millimeter. Horizontal measurements are given first, then vertical. Circular measurements are diameter of circle as reported and may be outside to outside or center to center of a thick circle. Measurements of NOR (no outer ring) markings are of an implied circle through the extremities of the letters. Boxes and geometric are usually measured outside to outside. Variation in the method of measurements can easily cause variations of a full millimeter or more in recorded dimensions.
This column lists the earliest (El and latest (L) dates reported. In the case of scarcer Colonial and Territorial period markings these dates are recorded in day, month, and year form when known, and in the case of later markings, dates are indicated by a span of years.
HANDSTAMPED dates appearing in straight line, boxed, oval, fancy and certain early circle markings are denoted by these symbols in the listings:
MD - month date only
MDD - month and day date
YMDD - year, month and day date
The earliest handstamped townmarks applied to stampless covers were straight line markings, usually fashioned from printer's type and generally without any boxed frame lines or ornamentation. Frequently, the date appears alongside the town name, and it is not uncommon to find a separate straight line date marking used in conjunction with the town marking.
Certain type-set straight line markings show significant variations in type size, spacing, and punctuation .and these are recognized in the catalog listings --- see Fort Adams, Miss. Terr.; Nashville, Tenn.; and St. Louis, Mo., for typical examples. Minor varieties, presumably resulting from the replacement or cleaning of worn letters, minor type substitutions, etc., can be expected and may not be included in the listings. In later usage, straight line markings are often found boxed within framelines. In general, straight line markings were gradually replaced by the early circle types and oy ovals from about 1800 onward, although scattered examples are to be found as late as the 1860's.
The sizes of the straight line townmarks (measured in mm, the horizontal being first) include the town name plus star, period, or other such marks connected with the town name, but in no case is an additional straight line date included, as month-day and year dates vary in length. When the town
name appears in two lines the length of the longer line is shown and the height dimension includes both lines. Where 1ette.rs in the postmark vary in height the maximum d1mension is used.
A slash line (/) indicates the start of a new line.
SL - One, Two or Three Straight Lines:
Box - Single Line Box
DL Box - Double Line Box
Townmarks in oval shape were widely used in various parts of the country from the early 1800's to about 1840. In common with straight line markings, the ovals show wide variations in type sizes and style as well as in the size of the markings. Thus, the huge 53mm x 44mm Newport, R.I. oval of 1820-23 is in sharp contrast to the Coshocton, Ohio 22mm x 21 mm rimless oval marking of 1828.
New York City employed an ornate oval marking from 1798-1804 known to collectors as the "Clam Shell"; the Smyrna, N.Y. marking of 1848-49 is one of the cruder ovals listed.
There are four basic types of oval townmarks:
O - Oval
DO - Double Oval
DLO - Double [outer] Line Oval
DDLDO - Double Line Double Oval
Although the earliest known circular townmark used in America is the CHARLES/TOWN- S.C. Colonial marking of 1778-80, circular townmarks did not gain widespread use until after 1800. Circular townmarks account for the majority of the listings.
CD - Circle Dates
Covers of the Colonial and pre-1800 period are frequently found to bear one or more circle date (CD) markings. The day appears over the month abbreviation in a small circle, usually measuring 15-17mm in diameter. The British versions of this marking have a horizontal dividing line separating the day and month and are known as "Bishop Marks" while the version used in America has no dividing line and is generally called a "Franklin Mark".
Though day and month dates were customarily shown in the early circle townmarks, the inclusion of year dates such as those shown here was very uncommon.
"QUAKER DATED" CIRCULAR TOWNMARKS are those in which the month is designated by number, 1st through 12th, rather than by name as the Quakers considered the names to be of pagan origin. Typical examples are shown here.
"ATTACHED RATE" handstamps. Circular townmarks showing integral rate markin􀉂 numerals alongside and frequently the words FREE or PAID vertically, characterize the appearance of these patented handstamp devices which saw use in the 1830-45 period largely from post offices in New York State and the New England states. Philadelphia, Pa. and Richmond, Va. Attached rate devices of a different pattern saw use after 1845.
During any given time period, larger post offices frequently used multiple townmarking devices. When the impressions from these devices clearly differ, they are listed separately. However, variations in dimension up to 1 mm may frequently be found due to progressive wear in the handstamp, strength of the impression, paper shrinkage, and other factors. Small variations in dimensions of markings do not ordinarily constitute sufficient cause for separate listing.
There are five basic types of circle town marks:
C- Circle
DC- Double Circle
DLC - Double [outer] Line Circle
DLDC- Double Line Double Circle
NOR- Circle with No Outer Rim
Fancy townmarks are those markings which are sufficiently distinctive in design and appearance to set them aside from the more conventional straight line, oval and circular markings. Many of the markings in this category rank as the scarcest to be found in the listings.
Pictorial Fancy Townmarks:
Ornamental Mortised Handstamps:
During the 1830's -1850's several types of handstamps usually of metal, in ornamental designs, and characterized by a central mortised cavity for me insertion of printer's type, secured by a set screw, were sold for general marking purposes. They were used for personalizing linens, quilts, clothing, books, etc., and their use by postmasters as townmarks provided some of the most desirable fancy markings known to collectors.
Negative Letter Townmarks:
Stencil markings:
Arc, Octagon, and Markings in other Configurations:
This column lists other markings appearing on covers, either manuscript or handstamped. Markings most commonly listed are PAID and FREE. Less commonly found are the handstamped auxilliary markings, such as ADVERTISED, MISSENT, FORWARDED, etc.
Handstamped rate markings of unusual design are of special interest to collectors and they enhance the value of covers on which they appear. Those shown above are among the scarcer types.
When letters required double, triple, or higher rates of postage, and postmasters did not have the appropriate rating handstamps, they sometimes resorted to multiple strikes of a single rate handstamp, or a combination of rate markers to total the proper rate. Covers showing such uses are uncommon, and frequently command premium prices.
Manuscript markings are commonly found applied in black ink. This catalog makes no distinction in scarcity and value for manuscript markings applied in colors other than black except in the case of Territorial and Colonial markings.
Handstamped markings are commonly found applied in black, blue and red, and generally no distinction is made in evaluating markings in these colors. Handstamped markings applied in green, purple, magenta, yellow, brown, and orange are considerably scarcer and often command increased prices. Red markings sometimes turn brownish with age.
The American Postal Markings Catalog is an online database of markings found on covers up to May 31, 1861. It predominantly covers townmarks applied by postmasters to lettersheets and envelopes during this period.
To search the database:
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