Postal Updates
Machine cancellations still in use at a few U.S. post offices

Philatelic Foreword by Jay Bigalke
Most postal distribution centers around the United States have switched their cancellation machinery to a sprayed-on marking instead of the machine die hub cancellation. But the older machinery occasionally is still used at a few locations.
On recent mail received at the Linn’s office, we have noticed a couple of places still using the machine die hub cancellation: Syracuse, N.Y.; Juneau, Alaska; and Yakima, Wash. A bonus on the Juneau cancel was that the “PM” for the time of day was placed in the hub upside down.
I have an affection, as do probably a number of other collectors, for the crispness of the old postmark machinery, and it is always fun to add an example to my collection.
One other observation is that the older machinery sometimes gets put back into service around the months of November and December when mail volumes increase, so that would be a good time to watch for such cancellations.
If you enjoy collecting postmarks, I suggest joining the Post Mark Collectors Club. The club publishes 11 issues a year of its journal PMCC Bulletin, which always has interesting stories and photographs related to postmarks and post offices.
Connect with Linn’s Stamp News:
Sign up for our newsletter
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
MORE RELATED ARTICLES
Headlines
-
US Stamps
May 13, 2025, 2 PMNew tagging-omitted error discovered on U.S. 1986 Ameripex ’86 souvenir sheet
-
US Stamps
May 13, 2025, 12 PMRocky Mountain Stamp Show to host May 23 debut of 10 colorful stamps picturing baby wild animals
-
World Stamps
May 12, 2025, 3 PMThe Rocky Horror Picture Show honored in New Zealand May 7
-
World Stamps
May 12, 2025, 12 PMCanada Post semipostal series continues