Need help with an RPO

[Slingshot]

I found this 741 with an RPO cancel, after hours of searching I ascertained that it is a cancel from the Chicago & North Western RR, and specifically Chicago & Algona. Algona is in northern Iowa. Just trying to figure out the rarity factor on this particular cancel. I'm starting to think it might be a factor 10 as I have spent several hours looking for another Chicago & Algona cancel, and can't find one listed or pictured.
I know most RPO collectors collect the full covers, but this is an outstanding SON of that RPO, and can stand alone on it's own merits.
Any help, suggestions would be appreciated as I am trying to avoid shelling out $30 for the RPO cancel catalogue just to search for this one cancel.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[DeepseekerADS]

Interesting question and thank you for asking! I'd never considered postage stamps by their cancellations.

 

[stefen]

Interesting question and thank you for asking! I'd never considered postage stamps by their cancellations.

Thought I'd fill in some holes in the stamp collecting game...

There exists what is called an organized "Post Cancellation Stamp" group here in the States, whereby these people collect cancellations as a hobby.

I have 15 - 3" binders that is divided by 48 states, each state is then divided by county, or territory, and each of those contains Village, Town or City post offices.

The files start in the late 1890 and included entries into the mid-1960's.

Each post office, whether its in the back of a local grocery, hardware store or actual post office...had a name and hand cancellation stamp (with name & date).

Unfortunately as the postal system advanced with time, many of the smaller post offices disappeared along with the village or town, or by consolidation.

The binders in my possession had one (1) cancellation stamp from most every post office in existence for a 70 year period.

Its a history of the growth of the continental United States and an interesting read.

So yes, there are collectors...and accordingly, numerous reference books.

Haven't seen any cancelled 'Jennies" but there may be some rare examples of other sought-after stamps...

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Thought I'd fill in some holes in the stamp collecting game...

Wow! I had zero idea! Good gracious! That sure puts a new slant on my 5 cardboard boxes of a whole lot of loose stamps! I can't search all of these in my lifetime. Took me a year to do around 20,000..... Much less than one box...

I'd love for Mack to jump into this thread!

 

[david680]

Ain't no doubt, you want to find a hobby that has the greatest numbers of specialists, that's stamp collecting. Interesting to try to collect every PO's cancellation.

 

[Mackaydon]

My jaw dropped in amazement as I read "stefen's" post; I've never heard of such a collection.
'stefen', do you have an Index or Catalog of the your collection you'd be willing to share?
I'll now look through my collection from a different perspective; more respective of the cancellations.
Don.......

 

[stefen]

My jaw dropped in amazement as I read "stefen's" post; I've never heard of such a collection.
'stefen', do you have an Index or Catalog of the your collection you'd be willing to share?
I'll now look through my collection from a different perspective; more respective of the cancellations.
Don.......

There is an index as I recall...first I need to find the boxes in the storage unit, then sort thru the binders and loose books and tons of sleeves.

 

[Slingshot]

Those Socked On The Nose (SON, or SOTN) cancels on US stamps with the town name, date, and state are hot stamp items right now, and I see a lot of them selling on eBay in the $3 - $10 range depending on clarity of cancel, and it's centering.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Danged! You guys are going to get me back in those boxes!