Basics in Philately #2: Postmarks, Killers, and Cancellations

In the previous Basics in Philately, date stamp or postmark (used interchangeably to some extent) were mentioned in one of the examples. The concept of postmark is very easy: It is any markings done which is made on both the stamp and the mail to indicate that the stamp has served its purpose sufficiently in terms of postage charges. Postmarks are vital to prevent repetitive usage of the same stamps for postage.

Air mail from Singapore to India dated 30 JUN 57 on SINGAPORE circular date stamp (CDS)

It is a common sight on mails - recipient's address in the centre, stamps on the upper right corner, and a circular postmark overlapping both the stamps and the mail. Get enough mails and you would notice that the circular postmarks vary from size, style, and at times even shape. 

Postmarks, in general, are applied either via handstamp or machine cancellations. 

General classification of postmarks according to mode of cancellation.
*Update: The term, 'Frank' is put under machine cancels is to indicate the use of franking machines. To address any confusion, the term by definition can also be used to describe the application of postage stamps onto mail.

I will list a few examples to help visualize the different categories of postmarks.

Single ring 'JESSELTON' CDS dated 12 MY 64

Chamfered rectangular postmark. They are usually seen on Belgian train mail stamps.

Year of the Rat 2020 pictorial cachet from SetemKu issue (Malaysia), which was not listed in the official stamp issue program 

Oval bar cancellation on a North Borneo stamp overprinted 'LABUAN'.


Mail processed in a machine with a duplex cancellation, which meant the CDS on the left comes with the wavy cancel on the left. It is a convenient feature that helps to cancel more than one stamp in a single strike.


Machine datestamp with slogan "ERA TV ANALOG MALAYSIA 28.12.1963-31.10.2019" to commemorate the era of analogue television in Malaysia. 


Here's all the examples I managed to find in the past few days. I do not have any stamps or mails with pen cancels at this time of writing, however, if I do have I will surely update here. 

Note on stamps:

1. Singapore 1955 Scott 34 10 cent dark purple - 'Timber tongkong'
    Singapore 1955 Scott 37 25 cent orange & purple - 'Agronaut plane'
Wmk. Multi Crown CA
Perforation: 13.5 x 14.5

2. North Borneo 1961 Scott 285/ ISC 360 dull green & brown - 'Banteng' 
Wmk. Multi. St Edward's Crown CA
Perforation: 13 x 12.5 

3. Belgium 1949 Scott Q324 50 Fran violet - 'Locomotive of 1835'
No wmk. 
Perforation 12.5 

4. Malaysia 2020 (unlisted in catalogue) 60 sen multicoloured - SetemKu'Year of Rat' 

5. Labuan 1901 Scott 99/ ISC 107 16 cent orange brown & green - 'Railroad train'
No wmk.
Perforation: 12-16 (compound)

6. Malaysia 2018 60 & 80 sen multicoloured - 'World post day' 
*I will have to look through the FDC insert for more info regarding its watermark and perforation

7. Malaysia 2017 60 sen multicolored - Flowers (Definitive Series) 'Rhynchostylis retusa' 
Wmk. POS
Perforation: 14.5

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