Editing Cancellation (mail) (section)

==Pictorial and special cancellations<span class="anchor" id="Pictorial cancellation"></span><span class="anchor" id="Special cancellation"></span>==
[[Image:Somnathpur pictorial cancellation.JPG|right|thumb|This post box is located at a historical site [[Somnathpur]] in [[Karnataka]], India.  Letters posted in this box will receive a pictorial cancellation with an image of the Kesava temple. ]]
The [[United States Postal Service]] distinguishes between '''special cancellations''' which have a caption publicizing an event,<ref>There are regulations pertaining to the special cancellations. See [http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/608.htm#wp1227808 Philatelic (Stamp Collecting) Services: Special Cancellations] (retrieved 15 June 2007)</ref>  and '''pictorial cancellations''', which contain an image of some sort.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub186/welcome.htm |title=USPS: Celebrating With Pictorial Postmarks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509032623/https://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub186/welcome.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2009 }}</ref> Special cancellations are essentially a type of slogan cancellations.  The [[USPS Building Bridges Special Postal Cancellation Series]], a unique series that began in 1996,<ref>{{cite news |title=Unique Postal Cancellation Marks Expo |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/ |access-date=9 Dec 2020 |work=Newspaper |agency=Contra Costa Times |publisher=Contra Costa Newspapers |date=4 April 1996}}</ref> combines both a pictorial drawing and an event slogan in what USPS refers to as a cancellation series, even though it also contains a pictorial element.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Mary Corbin, Tracy |title=Post Office marks 70 years of music recording in Berkeley with special postmar |url=https://www.berkeleyside.com/2018/11/16/post-office-marks-70-years-of-music-recording-in-berkeley-with-special-postmark |access-date=9 Dec 2020 |work=Newspaper |agency=Berkelyside Newspaper |publisher=Cityside Building Community Through Journalism |date=16 Nov 2018}}</ref>
[[Image:Postmark US airmail saves time.jpg|right|thumb|A 1929 pictorial cancellation promoting the use of airmail]]
In the United States, official pictorial cancellations are almost invariably applied at special "stations", i.e., [[post office]]s existing only for a limited time,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ruiz |first1=Augustine |title=USPS Building Bridge Special Postal Cancellation ~ Commemorating 30th Birthday of Lady Washington Tall Ship |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/local-releases/ca/2019/0422-postal-cancellation-lady-washington-tall-ship-pier-39.htm |website=USPS.com |publisher=United States Postal Service |access-date=9 Dec 2020}}</ref> usually one day, at special events,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ruiz |first1=Augustine |title=Special Postal Cancellation Marks 100th Anniversary of Opening Day on both sides of the San Francisco Bay |url=https://about.usps.com/news/state-releases/ca/2017/ca_2017_0417a.htm |website=USPS.com |publisher=United States Postal Service |access-date=9 Dec 2020}}</ref> although there are frequently other pictorial cancellations that are not officially described as such—they are among what are called special cancellations and are special die-hubs added to machine cancels, which usually contain merely a slogan but sometimes contain a picture.
There are a very few exceptions in which a particular post office uses a pictorial cancellation on all its mail. 
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:DC3Stamp.JPG|right|thumb|A cancellation showing [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], [[Isle of Man]] and the [[Douglas DC-3]]]] -->
The range of allowable subjects is very broad, and may include a variety of commercial tie-ins, such as to movie characters.

[[Canada Post]] uses automated cancellations with computer-printed messaging. In this way, the corporation can automatically print promotional messages on each envelope while simultaneously cancelling the piece of mail. Messages change throughout the year, and include seasonal messages ("Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noel") and promotional messages (such as Canada Post's web address).

Other post offices such as the [[Isle of Man Post|Isle of Man Philatelic Bureau]] also create special pictorial cancellations as they did in 1985 to mark the anniversary of the aircraft Douglas [[DC-3]].  A special handstamp was created <ref name=LS-13-12-1985 >Top-flight honour for schoolboy - Front Page - Lincolnshire Standard - 13 December 1985</ref> depicting a Dakota flying "free" and not "boxed in".<ref>Special Dakota Cover Inside Information Card - [[Isle of Man Post|Isle of Man Philatelic Bureau]] - 17 December 1985</ref>