Ovid Maltese Cross

Just after I wrote the previous post about the Star in Star from Forest Glen, this little item from Ovid, Seneca County arrived in my mail.

I find this item fascinating for a number of other reasons: 1. The beautiful purple ink, 2. The double circle in the townmark, and 3. The well defined double maltese cross.

Ovid was established in 1815 and is still in operation. For a few months in 1814, the post office was called Seneca. (Smith and Kay, page. 304, 1980)

Star in Star Killer

Continuing with the theme of New York State County Postmarks here's an interesting one from Forest Glen (Ulster County). This is a fairly early use in the post office history since it was established on September 21, 1882. Forest Glen was discontinued on September 15, 1930 with mail going to New Paltz (Smith and Kay, p. 342, 1980).

However, I find it more interesting if you look at the star killer. Since it's probably early in the life of the cancel, the cancel is still fairly distinct. Notice that there is a small star inside the larger star. With cancels such as this as the years go by with lots of use, such details disappear.