Poststämpel

A poststämpel, or postmark in English, is an official mark applied to a postage stamp and the envelope or parcel it is affixed to. Its primary purpose is to cancel the stamp, indicating that it has been used for postage and cannot be reused. This cancellation also typically includes the date and time the item was processed by the postal service, and often the location of the post office.

Poststämpel serve several functions. They prevent fraud by making stamps unusable for further mailing. They also provide a historical record of when and where an item was mailed, which can be of interest to philatelists and historians. The design of poststämpel can vary greatly, from simple circular dates to more elaborate designs that commemorate events or feature local landmarks.

The application of poststämpel is usually done by machines at sorting centers, though hand-stamping by postal workers is still common, especially for less common destinations or special cancellations. The inks used are typically indelible to prevent alteration. Variations exist worldwide, with different postal administrations employing unique designs and cancellation methods. For collectors, the poststämpel can be as valuable as the stamp itself, especially if it is rare, dated from a significant historical event, or applied to a less common postal item.