The Canal Zone was a territory of the United States from November, 1903 through September, 1979. It was jointly administered by Panama and the US from then until 1999, when Panama took control. Three different designs are Scott listed. Covers are relatively scarce.
Catalog: Drummond OS3, Scott OX2
Date issued: 1910
Printing: Pale royal blue
Perforation: 11 1/2
Inscription: "Post Office Department / OFFICIALLY SEALED. / Canal Zone Government"
Control Number: none
Description: Mint single of the 1st design. Issued in panes of 8 without gum. Seal spacing 1/2mm.
Date issued: 1917
Printing: Dark blue
Perforation: Rouletted 6 horizontally in color, vertically without
Inscription: "Bureau of Posts / OFFICIALLY SEALED / The Panama Canal"
Control Number: none
Description: Registered 1937 commercial airmail cover from Buenos Aires, Argentina to New York, NY salvaged from August 2 crash of Panagra FAM-9 flight at Cristobal, Canal Zone. Four-line black "Recovered from / Plane N.C. 15065 / Aug.3,1937 / Cristobal, C.Z." marking struck on front and 2nd design Canal Zone official seal affixed on reverse. Seal tied by August 9th New York registry cancel. 43 lbs of mail, recovered from the waters of Moquito Gulf, was dried in a bakery before being forwarded.
Date issued: 1961, EKU January 26, 1977
Printing: Black
Perforation: 12 1/2
Inscription: "CANAL ZONE / OFFICIALLY SEALED / POSTAL SERVICE" with circular coat of arms in center
Control Number: none
Description: Mint single of the final design. Issued in sheets of 32 (4x8) without gum. Coat of arms diameter 11 1/2mm.
Date issued: 1961
Printing: Black
Perforation: perf 12 1/2
Inscription: "CANAL ZONE / OFFICIALLY SEALED / POSTAL SERVICE" with circular coat of arms in center
Control Number: none
Description: Mint single as above, but on paper watermarked with the seal of the United States, which is clearly visible in image. Updated October 21, 2007
Catalog: Drummond OS4, Scott OX3, AAMC 370802
Catalog: Drummond OS7, Scott OX6
Catalog: Drummond OS7b, Scott OX6b
© Copyright 2003-2007
- Buying, Selling, & Trading Officially Sealed Mails of the World -
by T. Hirn
E-mail:thirn@poseal.com