Name/Title
Postmarks and cancellationsEntry/Object ID
ARC926 ve3Scope and Content
Although the terms postmark and cancellation are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A cancellation is used to mark through a stamp to prevent its reuse. A postmark is used to indicate the post office of origin and date and time of mailing. A postmark often is used as a cancellation but a cancellation is not supposed to be used as a postmark.
The last example depicted at left clearly shows the wavy black lines or cancellation use to strike through the stamp so that it cannot be used again. The postmark showing the post office, date and time is to the left of the cancellation mark.
Upper: Envelope mailed in Berryville, Virginia, postmarked in Summit Point, date unknown. (ARC452-1)
Second row left: Letter mailed from Brandy Station, Virginia, postmarked in Shepherdstown in 1889. (ARC452-2)
Second row right: Verso of the envelope postmarked in Shepherdstown showing the date 1889. (ARC452-3)
Lower left: Envelope mailed in Halltown on October 1, 1946, with the Rural Free Delivery cachet and postmark. (ARC926)
Lower right: Postcard postmarked in Harpers Ferry in 1969 showing both a cancellation mark and a postmark. (IMG3333)