Greetings collectors:  As most of you are aware, many of the canceling facilities this past year have converted over to the new faster AFCS-200 canceling equipment replacing the original AFCS-100 equipment in use since the beginning of inkjet cancels.

The following Birmingham, Alabama cancels show an example where the facility was still using the older AFCS-100 equipment along with the newer AFCS-200 equipment.  In this case, we have the BIRMINGHAM AL 350 postmark  –  same date 10 APR 2013 PM  – 6-wavy line cancellation, but different equipment was used to apply the inkjet cancel.

A telltale sign to determine one from the other is in the length of the postmark text - especially the place name.  Most postmark text applied by the newer AFCS-200 series is shorter in length (usually by about 4 to 8 mm).

With the Birmingham example, the length of the postmark’s text for machine 6L is 49mm (applied by AFCS-100).  The bottom cancel uses the new AFCS-200 equipment with the postmark’s text shortened to 44mm.

Above:BIRMINGHAM AL 350 / 10 APR 2012 PM 6 L (applied by older AFCS-100)

BIRMINGHAM AL 350 / 10 APR 2012 PM 5 L (applied by newer AFCS-200)

I'm now breaking down the differences in the database for 6-wave cancels only, since this is the only cancel to use both types of cancellers.  The other cancel designs are unique to only one type of canceller.

So how does this affect collecting?  Unless you're satisfied for collecting 6-wave cancels regardless of length, this should be an interesting offshoot to complement your collection.

If anyone wants a copy of the 6-wave cancels from the database, let me know by email.  I'll eMail you back with an attachment.

Happy collecting!

Frankie     jonesbeach47@yahoo.com

Editor’s Note:

In Cleveland, the year 2012 began with 6-wavy line cancels using the longer postmark text associated with the older AFCM machine.

Above:  CLEVELAND OH 441 / 17 JAN 2012 PM 6L

Appearance of longer postmark text with 6-wavy line cancel (older AFCM-100)

Beginning in April 2012, the shorter postmark text first appeared with the 6-wavy line cancellation. Note the change of the zip code from 440 to 441.  See below:

Above:  CLEVELAND OH 440 / 05 APR 2012 PM 6L

Appearance of shorter postmark text with 6-wavy line cancel  (newer AFCM-200)

Since then, older mail processing plants have been closed.  Now in 2013, Cleveland, Ohio, is using both the newer AFCS-200 and older AFCS-100 macines.  See examples that follow:

Above:  CLEVELAND OH 440 / 28 FEB 2013 PM 6L

Appearance of longer postmark text with 6-wavy line cancel (older AFCM-100)

One can now observe the progression from old equipment, to new equipment, to reuse of old equipment:

CLEVELAND OH MACHINE 6 L

Top:

AFCM-100 equipment

LONG TEXT

Middle:

AFCM-200

Equipment

SHORT TEXT

BOTTOM:

AFCM-100

Equipment re-used

LONG TEXT

HOW LONG WOULD 6L USE ‘OLD EQUIPMENT’?

Top:

AFCM-100 Equipment

12 MAR  2013

LONG TEXT

Bottom:

AFCM-200

Equipment

13 MAR 2013

SHORT TEXT

Once again, note that in 2012 when the newer equipment was installed, the zip code was changed from 441 to 440.  When the older equipment was installed for re-use in 2013, the zip code was programmed to remain 440, and remained so when the new equipment was returned to machine #6.  Is this being done in lieu of temporarily installing metal facer cancellers while repairs are being made on the system?

Another example from Cleveland of using old and new equipment in 2013 , but from different machines:

Above:CLEVELAND OH 440 / 08 MAR 2013 PM 7 L (applied by newer AFCS-200)

CLEVELAND OH 440 / 05 MAR 2013 PM 8 T (applied by older AFCS-100)

So far, machines #1, 3, 6 and 8 are reported in Cleveland during March 2013 applying the longer text postmarks associated with the older AFCM-100 equipment.

Want to see some of the modern postal equipment in operation?  Go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwN99KLs0jY