Nice idea... I have a few stamps sorted out that have full (or almost full) postmarks as I know a couple of people that used to collect them... will look at dates and make a 'calendar' spreadsheet. Will post dates/pics and if you care to trade, will let you have your pick of the lot. To add to the other post: do you collect only used Airmail?
Just did an Advanced Google Search and only came up with Auki, Solomon Islands which you probably already found. I like a good 'mystery'... will keep thinking about it. Any intelligence on the left lower corner marks? WI could also be West Indies... any historical possibility there?
Can't make out the letters on the bottom left of the stamp. I think Milwaukee is a good bet. Were the West Indies using U.S. Postage stamps in 1863?
Don't only collect used Air Mail. I'm collecting all BoB stamps, used or unused. As long as it is well centered, and the cancellation doesn't obliterate the face of the stamp, I'm happy. I'll go through what I have to see if I have any duplicates. Off the top of my head, I don't think that I do.
Not sure... knew there was sugar plantations and rum trade but don't know about postage... just a guess.
Looked at the stamp again... Using the MILWAUKI hypothesis, the lower left characters look like the bottom part of the 'M' and 'I'... at the 9-o'clock position, you can imagine the very bottom of the 'L'. Have you found any info on the different spelling of the city name during that period?
A further note... looked up the Wikipedia story and, under history, I find the following... Early explorers called the Milwaukee River and surrounding lands various names: Melleorki, Milwacky, Mahn-a-waukie, Milwarck, and Milwaucki. For many years, printed records gave the name as "Milwaukie". One story of Milwaukee's name says, So that may be the definitive answer...
Figure I should post the stamp that started this collection. It was cancelled on Dec 25th, Xmas Day. I figured that that might be the hardest date to get, and since I already had it, I might try to see how many different dates that I could get. It is a Scott 11a.
NICE stamp... I have a couple of the '11' design but I think they are the #25 version. That far back I have put away in folders... need to get them out one day and put them in the new albums I have.
Gunny, I've seen a few stamps postmarked on Christmas in various publications, but never in real life. If I ever see one at a show I'll be sure to pick up on it because it has to be unusual and scarce.
I'll keep my eye out at the local shows that I go to and during my perusing of different websites. If I see one, I'll grab it for ya.
Hello Gunny, Do they have to be American, or do you collect them from other countries as well? (I can search what I have for you, and send them) Elizabeth
Appreciate the offer, but I'm only doing a collection of U.S. stamps. That might change if when I get down to only needing a few. It's pretty easy now since I only have about 20 stamps. It's going to get tougher at some point.
Added four new ones to the collection. Three of the four a blue ink cancelled. First up is a Scott 11a dated July 30th. Then we have a Scott 10a dated August 22nd cancelled somewhere in Maine. Next is a Scott 11a dated October 12th. And lastly, a Scott 11 dated October 17th.
