Hello Collectors,
Now, if you are an old school kinda collector, you may think I’m talking about Lucky Strike Cigarettes or the Klondike Gold Rush.
Well I’m not, but from a Postal History perspective, a few thoughts about Split Ring or Broken Circle cancellations.
Briefly, about rarity factors. If you are referencing catalogues or literature printed prior to the year 2000 , chances are your Rarity Factor “E” isn’t any more an “E”. Why? Well, because over the last 20 years some of these, what I would call “scarce” cancellations have been found, but not necessarily reported. So be aware of price and condition.
Examples are Prudens Crossing or Tring or even New Oxley. These are all Alberta split ring, broken circle cancels that are surfacing.
If you are an experienced split ring collector, you may know all the places to look for these hidden treasures, a Lucky Strike let’s say.
Some suggestions to improve your chances:
In many cases the postmark on a letter, if being sent, is on the front of the cover or back of a postcard. But not always, check both sides to be sure.
Now, if a postcard is received to "small town" Saskatchewan and there is not a postmark on the back, then look on the front. And I mean really “look“ on the front with a high powered magnifying glass. These little gems are hidden everywhere. Darker less visible areas are camouflaged on the front of a greeting card or real photo postcard, and could be anywhere.
Now the postal clerk in 1907 likely did not know that 110 years later, these postmarks would be of interest as collectables. If he or she knew that these little rings that were broken, might be of interest, they may have hammered them in a more visible area.
Or would they?
Let me know if you get a “Lucky Strike”.
Take care,
John