A Review by Alan Warren
Danmarks Poststempler: Annulleringstempempler by Vagn Jensen and Jan Helding, approx. 7 x 10 inches, hardbound, 160 pages, in Danish, illustrated, published by Jan Helding, Frederiksberg, Denmark 1999, ISBN 87-987396-0-3.
The focus of this book is on the cancellations used on the stamps of Denmark during the early stamp period. Hence it is limited to the 19th century. Values are shown for each cancel, making this an important reference for collectors and dealers.
Three basic types of cancels are examined. The first is the so-called mute cancel, which consists of four concentric circles with a dot in the middle. The second type is very similar but the dot has been replaced by a numeral that identifies the town where the cancel was applied. The third type is a combination of the numeral type with a CDS of the town or possibly a railway mark.
The cancels are listed in numerical order with the mute cancels indicated for those towns that had them, and each type or subtype is well illustrated as an aid to identification. Each cancellation entry includes the earliest and latest known uses where known. Some of the numerals were inscribed by hand and there is a separate list of those. There is a handy alphabetical list of the towns and cities with the numerals they are associated with.
The list of values is again in ascending order of the numerals. Prices are shown for dark or light cancels and in many cases there are different values depending on the year, if this can be determined by other information on the cover. Photos scattered throughout the main listing show many examples of cancellations on stamps and even on cover. This book updates the work of earlier catalogers of these cancels, who are briefly acknowledged, and is well printed and illustrated. However, a bibliography would have added value to the work. The listings are self-explanatory and the use of Danish text in this book is minimal.
See also Book of Danish Ore Letters 1875-1902
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