Large numeral cancels in December 1862
Following a test conducted in Lyon between February 20 and 25, 1862, a new type of cancellation mark was introduced in France: the large numerals. These cancellations were based on an updated nomenclature of post offices, which was officially revised in July 1862.
The first post offices to receive and implement these large numeral cancels were those in Algeria, beginning in July 1862. Some overseas post offices adopted them as early as October, while post offices in mainland France had to wait until December of the same year.
The transition was formally announced in Monthly Bulletin No. 88 of December 1862, informing post offices that they would receive the new cancelling stamp "within a few days." It also instructed them to exchange their small numeral cancels in accordance with the revised nomenclature.
English translation of the extract. Monthly Bulletin No. 88 — December 1862, p. 471
REPRINTING OF THE GENERAL LIST OF POST OFFICES — DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LIST AND OF THE NEW CANCELLING STAMPS
The Postal Administration has just ordered the reprinting of the list of all post offices and delivery offices under its authority in France, Algeria and abroad. This reprinting has been used as an opportunity to assign each post office the number corresponding to its alphabetical order.
As a result, each office has been assigned a different number from the one it previously held, and must exchange its existing cancelling stamp for a new one bearing the number assigned to it in the revised list.
This exchange will take place in accordance with instructions to be issued to each post office or delivery office by means of a printed circular under cover of which the Equipment Office will shortly send directly to each post office a cancelling stamp bearing the new number assigned to it in the revised list.
The former cancelling stamp, once exchanged, together with any stamps of this type withdrawn from service, must be returned to the Equipment Office, which originally supplied them.
Extract from Monthly Bulletin No. 88, December 1862.
Some post offices began using their new cancellations as soon as they received them, as Monthly Bulletin No. 88 did not specify an official start date. Consequently, these large numeral cancels were in use as early as December 1862.
In the Nord department, 24 post offices applied their large numerals between December 19 (the earliest recorded date) and December 31, 1862.
While collectors commonly recognize January 1, 1863, as the official start date, no such date was formally established by the authorities.
Early large numerals in the Nord
List of post offices that used their large numerals in December 1862. Date format: DD/MM/YYYY.
Orchies: Early use of large numeral cancel, 25 December 1862.
Dunkerque: Large numeral cancel dated 19 December 1862, the earliest recorded date in the Nord department.
Cambrai: Early use of large numeral cancel, 26 December 1862.
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