Pictorial cancel

Pictorial cancels are postmarks with a decorative image. There really is no set definition, but most collectors will probably agree that pictorials are a subset of fancy cancels. Pictorials are relatively modern, from the 20th Century and later, and have the image and town and date integral. Meanwhile, fancy cancels are usually standalone obliterators/killers or the killer part of a duplex cancel. Obviously, there can be modern cancels that fall in the latter category, including reproductions of 19th Century fancy cancels.

The cancels are used at various events, most commonly stamp shows. Modern first day cancels are often pictorial. Subject matter is as varied as possible. There is plenty of material for topical collectors, but there is no comprehensive pictorial cancellation catalog or database.  File:Germany Munich show cancel.jpg|1939 Germany pictorial showing a Bavarian stamp. File:USS Richmond Crosby.jpg|1934 US USS Richmond special cancel. US Naval cancels like this are nicknamed "F-types". File:Faroes FDC.jpg|2021 Faroe Islands FDC, globe and map cancel. File:US Ventura rock.jpg|1972 US Ventura, California stamp show cancel commemorating the Channel Islands. File:US Dennison Ohio RR fest.jpg|1998 US Dennison, Ohio Railroad Festival. File:US Indy 500 cover.jpg|1969 US Indianapolis, Indiana 500 motor race. 