Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
19 Nov 2009
11:55:51am

I am looking for information, a listing, and/or reference for Wesson 'time on bottom' cancels. These were in use in the 1880s / banknote area. Here is one from Boston which I believe -- not knowing any better -- is a Wesson cancel.



I got a few of these in a random lot of covers recently. Never paid any attention to them, but I am curious now and would like to learn a little more about them. How many (which?) towns used these etc.

(Message edited by rhinelander on November 19, 2009)

Login to Like
this post

Musicman

APS #213005
08 Dec 2009
10:50:32pm

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Arno,

This site might be of interest, if you haven't found it already;

http://thesaltysailor.com/rhodeisland-philatelic/rhodeisland/cancel21.htm



Randy

Login to Like
this post

Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
10 Dec 2009
12:40:29am

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Hello Randy and Bob,

Thanks a lot -- I knew I could get some more out of you guys.

All very interesting. Maybe I should get the book you are using, Bob -- could you please give me the specific reference, exact title, author ISBN etc.?

Also, Randy's link shows a postmark on cover described as a Wesson "Type 2" cancel. It really does not look like a duplex cancel at all; the killer is just an ink blob. However, there is the same "time on bottom" (and date in one line)organization of information in the cancel that makes the Boston cancel shown above so unusual.

The fact that the link Randy provided speaks of types also indicates to me that some categorizing reference / research work on these cancellations must exist (but it is not quoted). Providence -- the cover shown in the link -- is also not one of the cities mentioned by Bob, so I suppose Bob was just giving examples.

Bob, let me ask you, does the book have some description, short history etc., about these Wesson cancels? I think it is most peculiar that the book goes by the killer rather than the CDS portion of the cancellation. What makes these postmarks unique in my mind really is the time on bottom, a feature most cancels of that period (or any period for that matter) did not have. I do not believe that these cancels are rare or anything -- although trying to assemble a collection might pose a substantial challenge (having a list of towns and years of use would sure help in that endeavor).

Thanks again, folks, I learned a lot already -- keep going ...

Login to Like
this post

Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
15 Dec 2009
06:13:43pm

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Thank you Bob (parkinlot) for the information from the book. Really a most peculiar approach to identify cancellations by the shape / design of the killer only. Well probbaly it is primarily for the collector of single (off cover) stamps. I am still researching these cancels. Will show a few more specimens and and share what I found out as soon as I feel confident about the accuracy of the information. As it appears, it is not a rare style of cancellation. It also does not appear to be a widely collected style of postmark (unlike Doanes or flags etc.). Otherwise information would be more readily available.

Arno

Login to Like
this post

Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
29 Jun 2010
09:47:35pm

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Hi folks,

I did find a great reference book for these cancels after all: "Walter D. Wesson's 'Time on Bottom' Duplex Hand Cancelers" by William Bozarth. It is one of the La Posta Monographs and I am actually quite surprised that I could not find it by simply googling.



I have accumulated about a dozen or so of these cancels. They were used a lot in the big cities of Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston and then a whole bunch of other towns, with the most varieties and earliest specimens coming from Worcester, Mass. Pretty neat cancels, I think, and so much more fun to collect with a list at hand.

In other news, we have made our hopefully last move (at least for a while). I have updated the new -- and permanent -- address in the member database. The last year has been pretty crazy for us/me with large portions of my collection stored in different locations. I am so happy things are finally coming together that I'd like to share a few pictures of my future hobby refuge:







Now it all looks quite unorganized as of now and there are still two dozen boxes to unpack and a few book shelves need to be bought, but it sure is a joy putting it all together. Will post a picture once it is all done.

Login to Like
this post

Musicman

APS #213005
30 Jun 2010
10:17:14pm

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

....actually, I think I may have a few of these....guess I'll have to go have a look....hmmmm!



Randy

Login to Like
this post

Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
16 Jul 2010
09:10:08pm

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Hi Bruce,

Your post reminds me that I need to post a progress picture. I got my copy from Phil Banser. I believe Leonard Hartman at the time also had a copy in stock ---

Just googled -- He still has it. He really has the most confusing website, but always lots of good books. Here is the link:

http://pbbooks.com/markings.htm

Search for 'Wesson' or 'Bozarth' on this page.

Arno

Login to Like
this post

Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
08 Mar 2012
09:00:49pm

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Apparently, in 2010 the U.S. Cancellation Club (USCC) published an update to the book by Bozarth. The new monograph was put together by Ralph Edson and Gilbert Levere, and is
entitled "Wesson Time on Bottom Markings Revisited."

I googled around, but seem to be unable to find a source selling the book. Any ideas?

Arno

Login to Like
this post

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

If any of the readership have examples of X-Type (Carved Cork Killers) Worcester, Massachusetts Wesson Cancels, I would greatly appreciate it if you would post details about them, including an image, if possible.

I provided input on Worcester Wessons to Edson and Levere for their recent update. At just about the same time, Dave Simmons and I published a two-part article in La Posta that went into detail on X-Type Worcester Wessons. Since that time I have been expanding my X-Type database as new Dates and Times have been identified.

Please share your Worcester X-Type info with me so that the database may be expanded even more.

Thanks in advance !

Bob T

Login to Like
this post

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Hi Arno:

The address I posted is for Roger Curran, the Editor of the USCC News. He should be able to take care of your order for the Wesson update.


Thanks for offering to check your holdings of Wessons for me. I do appreciate it.

Although Worcester X-Type Wessons are described as having carved cork killers, a couple look as if the were carved from a much more harder / denser material. Attaced is an image of one of them.

Bob T

Login to Like
this post

Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
26 Jun 2012
06:07:22pm

re: Reference books on Wesson Time on Bottom cancels

Bob,

I checked and my memory failed me. I actually have only one Wesson TOB cancel with a carved cork killer and it is from Providence, R.I. The TOBs are really just a little collection on the side for me. I accumulated not more than around 20-30 over time.

I will put my order for the book in the mail tomorrrow.

Best,

Arno

Login to Like
this post