This is a handstamp used to cancel stamps that have missed the automated mail cancellation.
According to the Norphil blog this was issued to some locations on an experimental basis. I have not looked at the blog for some time so I am not sure whether it has progressed any further. I am not sure why this was introduced. Perhaps there was a concern that uncancelled stamps were not being "sharpied" by delivery staff, as in my experienced there are as many uncancelled stamps as there are vandalised by the postie. I doubt that it was in response to collector complaints.
This just received cover has a 'cancellation' type I've not seen before. It appears to be a handstamp obliterator.
Usually, mail requiring a recorded or signed for service would be hand cancelled by the post office who applied the label.
So the question is, did the clerk forget to cancel it and it was noticed further down the line (perhaps in the receiving sorting office). Or do some post offices now use an obliterator on this type of mail (surely not, as I would think this is contrary to regulations?).
re: Is this the new UK 'Sharpie' ?
This is a handstamp used to cancel stamps that have missed the automated mail cancellation.
According to the Norphil blog this was issued to some locations on an experimental basis. I have not looked at the blog for some time so I am not sure whether it has progressed any further. I am not sure why this was introduced. Perhaps there was a concern that uncancelled stamps were not being "sharpied" by delivery staff, as in my experienced there are as many uncancelled stamps as there are vandalised by the postie. I doubt that it was in response to collector complaints.