First is the Time-Cummings machine cancel from Minneapolis. I don't have any hard data but I am convinced that this particular machine cancel was used for a rather short duration in Minneapolis.
Then there is the "Name Duplicated in Directory" auxiliary marking.
The most striking aspect, though is the pointing hand with what I am calling fingernail polish. Another interesting thing about the pointing hand is that the where it would say "Returned to Sender" the words "returned" and "sender" are filled in. I am not sure why that is.
re: Minnesota Postal History - Pointing hand with fingernail polish?
And then there is the addressee, who could be the grandfather of someone I work with. The spelling of the name is the same, from the same area. I find that 100+ years ago, with so many fewer people, it is much easier to track down people.
re: Minnesota Postal History - Pointing hand with fingernail polish?
I don't recall ever seeing "ReturnED to Sender" before, just "Return to Sender" (though a quick google revealed many of both).
As for the overinking question, I would suspect it has something to do with the handstamping technique. With larger stampers, people tend to touch one end to the paper and "roll" it across, which tends to make smudges on both ends. Notice on the same cover that "Name" and "directory" both have a similarly overinked look while "duplicated in" appears more normal.
re: Minnesota Postal History - Pointing hand with fingernail polish?
nail polish? who can argue with the stylish Minnesotans?
however, I am fairly certain, it being delivered in early June and so not yet out of winter in the hinterlands, that you're looking at frost bite, with the carrier likely to lose a finger and a thumb but not to miss his appointed rounds
Don't need a weatherman to know.....
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