What is this Postal Marking? USA, "M.O.B."

ferthalangur (aka Rob)
Dedicated Stamp Bear

Hoping to find some time for my own stamp collection, in-between everything else.

Posts: 201

Location (Country): USA

What is this Postal Marking? USA, "M.O.B." Nov 11, 2022 6:10:55 GMT -5 khj, guyana1230, and 1 more like this

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Post by ferthalangur (aka Rob) on Nov 11, 2022 6:10:55 GMT -5

While sorting through what seems like a billion covers for SFTW, I found a USA ,postmark with a marking that I am unfamiliar with. We separate out APO, FPO, RPO, HPO, etc. as "special" for collectors who are searching for them.

The postmark is for Big Prairie, Ohio M.O.B.

What is an "M.O.B."? I looked it up in several online guides to post office abbreviations, and military abbreviations. The army uses the term for "Mobile Operating Base" but they only started using the term in the 1990's. This cover is from 1934.

Any thoughts?

I collect:
- An undefinable subset of world-wide stamps, 1840-1963
- Stamps of Iceland, 1873-2003*
- Stamps with bees on them

I am a volunteer, and the webmaster, of Stamps for the Wounded (SFTW). SFTW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides stamps, covers, supplies, etc. to U.S. veterans.

khj
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Posts: 9,890

Location (Country): USA

What is this Postal Marking? USA, "M.O.B." Nov 11, 2022 14:57:41 GMT -5

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Post by khj on Nov 11, 2022 14:57:41 GMT -5

MOB cancels are Money Order Business cancels.

I think in this case, I would guess the window clerk may have grabbed the wrong handstamp? They normally aren't used on mailed envelopes. Normally found on money order slips/receipts...

These are the type of items I like to see pics of -- conversation pieces about the unusual. Thanks for posting the pic, which will soon be pilfered for my archives!

Last Edit: Nov 11, 2022 15:03:33 GMT -5 by khj

I.M. DeBear Stamp Bears Posting Guru Posts: 2,440 Location (Country): USA	What is this Postal Marking? USA, "M.O.B." Nov 12, 2022 16:55:16 GMT -5 khj likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by I.M. DeBear on Nov 12, 2022 16:55:16 GMT -5 Why would the stamps be hit with an undated (roller?) cancel in black, then dated with the purple cds? Could there have been a money order in the envelope?
	Life is a berry patch.

khj
Administrator

Stamp Bears Supporter

Posts: 9,890

Location (Country): USA

What is this Postal Marking? USA, "M.O.B." Nov 12, 2022 17:45:18 GMT -5 I.M. DeBear likes this

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Post by khj on Nov 12, 2022 17:45:18 GMT -5

Probably. The window clerk either mistakenly grabbed the MOB handstamper, or maybe decided to use same one for convenience -- it's not like anyone would notice except us weirdo philatelists...

Rob can probably check to see if the roller cancel is on top of the MOB cancel. I suspect the roller cancel came afterwards.

Last Edit: Nov 17, 2022 12:40:55 GMT -5 by khj

ferthalangur (aka Rob)
Dedicated Stamp Bear

Hoping to find some time for my own stamp collection, in-between everything else.

Posts: 201

Location (Country): USA

What is this Postal Marking? USA, "M.O.B." Nov 14, 2022 7:06:09 GMT -5 khj and I.M. DeBear like this

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Post by ferthalangur (aka Rob) on Nov 14, 2022 7:06:09 GMT -5

You are excellent! Thank you for that information.

I saw that one while sorting through covers for SFTW. We separate out the ones that might have interest to specific groups of collectors ... e.g., APO and FPO cancellations for our "military" boxes, Rail Post Office and Highway Post Office, First Flight Covers, Rocket Mail Covers, etc. So, knowing what the cancellations mean is important.

I will try to remember to take some images of things that may be particularly interesting to post.

Thanks again!

I collect:
- An undefinable subset of world-wide stamps, 1840-1963
- Stamps of Iceland, 1873-2003*
- Stamps with bees on them

I am a volunteer, and the webmaster, of Stamps for the Wounded (SFTW). SFTW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides stamps, covers, supplies, etc. to U.S. veterans.

What is this Postal Marking? USA, "M.O.B."

Post by ferthalangur (aka Rob) on Nov 11, 2022 6:10:55 GMT -5

Post by khj on Nov 11, 2022 14:57:41 GMT -5

Post by I.M. DeBear on Nov 12, 2022 16:55:16 GMT -5

Post by khj on Nov 12, 2022 17:45:18 GMT -5

Post by ferthalangur (aka Rob) on Nov 14, 2022 7:06:09 GMT -5

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