Beautiful Austria definitive stamp with strange cancel
I think most worldwide collectors are very familiar with Austrian “Beautiful Austria” definite postage stamp series from the 1970’s. Stamps from this set are very easy to come by and they are very common; in addition stamps from the set are extremely well designed… But what’s bugging me, is a bizarre wavy-line round cancel I’ve managed to come across.
The 4 shilling stamp shows Almsee lake in Upper Austria. Since 1965, the area around the Almsee has been under nature conservation. The stamp below showcases your average copy with bullseye cancellation.
Michel #1430, cat. value 0.20€ with socked on the nose cancel.
And here’s my mystery item found on huge pile of kiloware… I’d be tempted to say that this is part of some pictorial or training cancellation, but as I know practically nothing of Austrian cancellations I’ll leave this one to you readers. So what is this?
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As far as I know, this cancellation was used in Austria, when stamps were left uncanceled at the post office where they should have been cacneled by mistake and were subsequently canceled later to prevent reuse.
(I hope this was understandable …)
Hi T-M,
that was very understandable and I think it solved a large part of this mystery…
I’m glad that I could help you.
PS: The German Post (Deutsche Post) uses cancellations saying “nachträglich entwertet” for this purpose.
PPS: Are you intersted in receiving a cover with Morgenpost (private postal service in this area of Germany) stamp? (I would have asked you per e-mail, but I couldn’t find your e-mail adress…
Hi T-M,
Actually I have few copies of the German cancel with “Nachträglich entwerted” text . Maybe I will showcase them some day on the blog…
As for the cover… I have no objections
Mainly I try to limit my collections to pre-millenium era stamps/items, but it’s not a strict guideline… If I can’t use them, then I’ll usually know someone who will.
As for missing email address… Due to junk/spam email I have decided to keep my email address more or less private. The About me page has some guidelines and options on how to make first contact; possibly the simplest way is to leave a comment with something like “please could you email me” or something similar. After that I’ll usually respond some way or another (if interested).
And yes, I have send you email message…
best,
-keijo-
Hello!
Chanced upon your blog today and found it very interesting and engaging
I’m currently involved with trying to figure out a way to buy Austrian stamps from their post office…their payment system is torturous! Given that the Hungarian post website is entirely non-English, could you please give me some advice on how to go about buying from there? I’m from India. Thanks a ton and apologies if I’ve bothered you!
Hi SI,
I believe the simplest way to solve your problems is to contact the website owners customers service by email, and ask for help/assistance. Below are some addressess I think will be usefull to you:
For help with Austrian post website, please visit http://www.post.at/eshop/kontakt.php?b=p
For help with Hungarian post website, please visit http://posta.hu/ugyfelszolgalat
best,
-keijo-
can’t swear, but as current worker at an Austrian Post Office I know a very similar cancellation called Wellenstempel (”wavy postmark”). This is used, when a letter does not carry enough stamps: The stamps get the Wellenstempel and so are marked as part of the letter and the letter comes back to the sender. The sender can reuse the stamps on this very letter, if he pays the missing price.
@fitrat…. Thanks for the info
Hi, Keijo,
This no doubt was a mystery and something really interesting for the collectors and thanks one of your enthusiasts who solved the mystery. Hurrah !!!