La Posta January 2002 29
that they will be coveted items by 22nd century Nevertheless, rural stations dating from the late 1950s
collectors. Figures 21 and 22 offer a sample of Puerto and early ’60s will still be valued items, particularly
Rico’s rural stations at the mid-20th-century mark. those from Guam. Collectors will be drawn to them
for two basic reasons: only five rural stations existed
for relatively short time periods, and the Talafofo ru-
ral station is one of the scarcest rural station markings
due to its short period of operation. Figures 23 through
27 are offered for your scrutiny.
Figure 23 Agana, Guam, Inarajan Rural Station
postmark shown used on October 2, 1961 to the United
States. That date is the earliest known usage of this
postmark.
Figure 26 The Umatac Rural Station which was served
by the Agana P.O. was reopened on October 1, 1961,
after having been closed for some time. Its earliest
known dates of use is October 2, 1961, the date of this
postal stationery piece. It closed permanently on June
28, 1965, although it was likely open for business
during the 1970s.
Figure 24 Postal stationery mailed from the Merizo
Rural Station of the Agana P.O. on October 2, 1961.
The Merizo town rural marking was first used on
October 1st, 61.
Figure 27 The Yona Rural Station of the Agana P.O.
has operated as a rural station since October 1, 1961,
but with closures and reopenings over the years. It has
remained open for business during the 1990s.
Finally, Figure 28 shows another sort of rural station
cover that our descendants will likely seek with
fervor. It is a mixed franking cover which was mailed
Figure 25 The postmark: Agana, Guam....Talofofo
in Germany in 1956 to a doctor working at the
Rural Station...first appeared on September 30, 1961
Marathan Shores, Florida hospital. Apparently, the
and closed on September 30, 1964. Unlike the other
doctor had moved on to Guatemala, prompting the
Guam rural stations which opened and closed
Marathon Shores postal staff to forward it there. Note
throughout the decades, the Talafofo r/s was
the ten-cent U.S. stamp tied by the large cds “Mara-
permanently closed after only three years of service. A
number of cancelers, many illegally produced, have
appeared after 9/30/64 on
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