Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-29
PhiIoteIic News

Inc fOSC OIIlCe OepdI II1eIlG
is renewing its drive to stop
philatelic vandalism. It has re-
affirmed the position assumed
in an order dated November S.
1916, reading in part: Not
withstanding the many occa-
sions upon which the excess
sive DETACHMENT of postage
stamps has been cited for cor
rective attention, the Depart
ment is still receiving numer-
Gus complaints from collectors
regarding stamps which have
been rendered completely I'M
satisfactory for collection pur-
poses. In most instances, COM
memorative stamps are in
volved, which should make
mail matter to which applied
readily recognizable as being
of philatelic interest. It is not
the intention, however. to re-
strict careful postmarking to
mail bearing commemorative
stamps. as it is particularly
desirable that all postage
stamps, so far as possible, be
invalidated in a manner which
will permit them to remain at
tractive for philatelic use. Spe-
cial arrangements made for
the treatment of philatelic
mail when rendered as such
should not be looked upon as
sufficient action to cover this
general situation.
"Postmasters and employees
Of the postal service are again
being directed to see that the
following instructions are
carefully and fully observed:
81. All canceling equipment.
including machine dies, steel
and rubber hand postmarking
stamps, and stamp pads, must
be kept clean and in good
working order to insure sharp
legible impressions. Worn can
ceiling equipment should be
Immediately replaced.
"2. Letters or parcels bear
ing blocks of either commend.
rative or ordinary stamps
should be Cancelled with the
least possible number of clear
impressions required to prop
erly protect the postal rev.
enues.
Under no conditions should
daubers. old canceling machine
ink rollers, pencil, crayon or
devices other than those regu-
larly issued by the Department
for canceling of postage stamps
be used. Under no circum-
stances may any ink other
than regularly issued black
canceling ink be employed to
invalidate stamps"
With regard to stamps being
destroyed by stripping in. i'm
properly adjusted canceling
machines. high postal officers
last week called attention to
an order issued to post Office
personnel on April %, 1947.
saying: I'm spite of repeated
ACCOMPLISHMENTS the Depart
ment continues to receive COM
plants from philatelists rela-
tive to stamps becoming
torn while being postmarked on
a canceling machine. Examina-
ton of the torn stamps indi-
Gates the usage of worn separa-
tor rubbers on the machines or
improper adjustments of the
separator. These are delin-
quencies which are attributable
solely to poor operation and
lack of care of the machines.
and can easily be corrected by
referring. if necessary, to the
book of instructions. ). POST
masters are directed, therefore.
to see to it that the employe
or employees assigned to service
canceling machines perform
the duties. required in connec-
ton Herewith so that these
justifiable complaints are
eliminated"
The policy of the Eisenhower
administration, The Star was
told last Wednesday, is to halt
philatelic vandalism wherever
and whenever it is shown to
occur. Readers with evidence
of such violation of postal reg
ulations are requested to sub
NIT it to Robert E. Fellers.
Director Of the Philatelic Divi-
sion, or Norman r. Abrams.
Assistant Postmaster General,
Bureau of Operations.
Collectors who have not vet