Idaho Doanes

Doane Cancels were the Post Office Department's first attempt to
improve the legibility of postmarks. The name "Doane" originates
from Edith R. Doane, a Postal Historian who became interested in
these early 20th Century Handstamps in the 1950's. Miss Doane
first published her research in the La Posta journal in 1978.

The initial experimental Doanes were issued in the first half of 1903.
They were very successful and led to the adoption of this type of
postmarking device for smaller 4th class post offices. Most were
issued to Post Offices where receipts were under $500 in a year.
They were issued to both new and existing Post Offices who
requested new supplies.

The numeral in the Doane cancel bars corresponded to the
Postmaster's compensation for the year prior to receipt of the
cancelling equipment. If compensation was less than $100, a "1"was
placed in the cancellation section. For compensation between $100
and $200, a "2" was used, etc.

Type 1 Doane Cancels have 5 bars. Their normal
distrubution was from Aug. 28, 1903 to Sep. 28,
1903 - only one month. Approximately 1600 Type 1
Doane handstamps were issued, including the 500
Experimental Post Offices. The dials in a Type 1
postmark usually measure between 27 and 29 mm
and used a tight block type face. Examples prior
to August 1903 are very uncommon.

Type 2 Doane Cancels have 4 pairs of very thin
parallel lines. Often the lines would become
clogged with ink making them appear to be Type 3
cancels. The diameter of the dials were normally
between 28 and 30 millimeters, and the type face
used was generally Romanesque or tight block.
Issued from Sep. 29, 1903 until Jun. 30, 1905,
approximately 17,500 Type 2 Doane handstamps
were issued.

Type 3 Doane Cancels have 4 thick parallel bars.
The dials usually measure between 31 and 32 mm.
The lettering style was limited to either standard
or elongated block styles. They are often difficult
to distinguish from normal 4-Bar cancels because
Doane "numerals" would be placed on top of the
green-colored stamps of the period. They were
issued from Jul. 1, 1905 until the Fall of 1906.
Approximately 12,000 Type 3 Doane handstamps
were issued.

Some of these Doane cancelling devices became worn or damaged
with use and improper handling. Thus becoming distorted or dirty,
they are difficult to distinguish from other cancels. Most Doanes
devices were used for anywhere from 1-10 years. A few Postmasters
took good care of their cancelling devices and you can find them
being used as late as the 1930's, 40's, and 50's.