Fancy Cancellations Hand Carved by the Postmaster

"Fancy cancels", as they are known to collectors, are by far the most creative forms of cancellations. In the early days of the United States Postal Service, standard equipment was not necessarily issued to postmasters, and many designed and carved their own "killers" from cork, soft wood, or even potatoes. Sometimes the image would be abstract, other times representational. Here are a few examples of "fancy cancels" that appeared on Wisconsin letters in the late 1800s.

Bee Shaped Design from East Troy, WI.

Geometric Design from Watertown, WI, used in 1875.

Top Hat Shaped Design from Mauston, WI, used in 1884.

L-shaped Design from Lodi, WI, used in 1870.

Initials of Postmaster Robert Herrick, Rising Sun Post Office, Crawford County, WI, used in 1861.