Why Star Cancellations Were Used

The introduction of postage stamps led to the commensurate need to mark stamps in order to prevent their reuse. The earliest devices used to "kill" or "cancel" stamps were either postal markings made for other purposes (such as rates) or simple grids carved in cork. Some creative postmasters made more elaborate designs intended solely for the purpose of cancellation. As these were seen by other postmasters, the use of so called "fancy cancels" quickly spread. Thousands of distinctive designs were created. While the simple grids and basic cork cancels were the most common "killers", amongst the fancier cancels, star cancellations have the greatest usage and variety of design.