DATE STAMPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22824, 7 March 1936, Page 2

DATE STAMPS

NEW TYPE FOR POST OFFICE LIGHT CANCELLATION BY RUBBER r A problem connected with the cancellation of postage stamps on parcels and packets has been solved after long experiment by the New Zealand postal officials, who have adopted an entirely new type of steel stamp operating on the roller principle. Two points of objection were found to the old type of hammer stamp. High value stamps are most frequently used on parcels; therefore, a light cancellation is appreciated by stamp collectors, who find a sympathetic official reception for their representations in this respect. The percussion effect in using a date stamp of the ordinary pattern rendered the contents of parcels and packets liable to damage, -while the rubber type completely defaced the attractive designs of the stamps. Therefore, postal officials resolved, if possible, to abandon that principle. The result is a new stamp carrying steel type on a small roller about one inch in diameter.

The changed shape involved a further problem of effective inking, and this was solved by designing a highly compressed felt pad roller which is brought into contact with the printing surface when the stamp is gently pressed down in the operation of cancellation. Thus, the new stamp will give the advantage of avoiding unduly heavy cancellation marks, and the blow of the old hammer type. It also saves time by being automatically inked in the course of operation. Two types of these new roller stamps are used, one bearing the name of the office for cancellation of packets and newspapers, and the second and larger type including In its marking the date of cancellation. This daily change involved the making of tiny types carrying the figures for the day, and the change involved in the monthly alteration. A cleverly designed locking system enables the small changeable types to be firmly held in the roller when in use.