Help me prove or disprove my theory!
If we can prove it, it may be case closed…
The first 3 letters at least we’re not mailed as normal. They were either placed in incoming mail from their origination or dropped off at The San Francisco International Airport.
That’s why the extra postage. He wanted to make sure they were still delivered.
That’s why they all have the Discover America machine cancel.
Yet have different processing destination marks. Like A1.
He knew this.
He had time to plan these first letters out. So he used his favorite widely available paper.
He knew he was traveling to the US in a few days.
He knew this gave him a Near perfect alibi. (I wasn’t even in the country)
The next letter (envelope & postage unknown) was hurried in response to their requests for more info. This was possibly even written on the plane. Different paper, not his favorite.
Interesting observation. I cannot tell you whether they were mailed from out of the country or not, but the first three do seem to have been mailed from the same location (and probably the same time frame) if we consider that "Discover America" stamp–like you mention. It is certainly unique to those three letters. I did a quick search and cannot find out anything about that stamp…yet.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
It’s the federal government’s promotion of the "discover America program" created by Johnson in 1966. Tourism was lagging.
Soze
Found a Discover America cancellation stamp from 1966. Was hoping they might have been exclusive to a place or time…apparently not.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
Time: no earlier than 66. Don’t know that they have ever really stopped except for maybe brief stints.
Location: I could be wrong but i don’t think you will ever find one unless they started highlighting specific points of travel. The discover America program was really about parks; national parks.
Soze
The campaign was used in National Parks and Airlines as I’ve seen on a few postcards from the era.
I apologize. I didn’t realize it’s impact until you mentioned it. But, yeah, airlines too. You can’t promote tourism of national parks without promoting mode of travel. That would explain why I saw a promotion for buses last night.
Given the Zodiac’s letter writing campaign, his attention to media I should say (newspapers & television), how would this promotion of tourism tie together the other? Can we place him in the media field and does this point towards a specific location?
Last night when I was reading I kept seeing a mention of Stewart Udall tied to Discover America. Wasn’t Udall a member of the Sierra Club? Asking. I haven’t looked yet.
Soze
How would Zodiac know what cancellation stamp would be used? Am I missing something here?
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
That I bet he didn’t know, but he knew if he placed letters into inbound US Mail or dropped them off at the San Francisco Airport post office, they couldn’t be traced.
How would Zodiac know what cancellation stamp would be used? Am I missing something here?
howsabout he worked in the postal industry and had access and knowledge. just his style leaving clues like the photocopy of post ofice box keys, air mail, double stamping
The "Discover America" cancellation appears to be what the USPS calls a "special cancellation". Special cancellations can have a caption that publicizes an event or can be a type of slogan such as – "Discover America".
In the USPS domestic mail manual dated 2003 the manual gives instructions on applying for special cancellations for publicizing events. It would seem, based on what I am reading, that any organization can apply for a post office to have a special cancellation but there are rules and limitations. So the US government wasn’t the only entity to implement cancellation stamps within a post office.
From the manual:
2.0 Special Cancellations
2.1Description
Special cancellations are machine cancellations in which a caption publicizing an event is engraved on a die hub used to cancel mail. They may be used only in post offices with 190 or more revenue units for canceling large volumes of mail. Special cancellations are authorized only if the scheduled observance either is for a national purpose for which Congress has made an appropriation or is of general public interest and importance for a definite period and not conducted for private gain or profit.
*While I don’t know exactly what "190 revenue units" means, I do feel this would be an indicator of what postal facilities could have been used for mailing. The cancellation certainly fits the bill for Congress appropriations
2.2Prohibitions
Special cancellations are not authorized for events of interest primarily to a particular local group; fraternal, political, religious, service, commercial, or trade organizations; campaigns or events promoting the sale or use of private products or services; idea or slogan promotions not directly connected with an event of general public interest and importance; post office anniversaries; recruitment programs; or events that occur during a period when all canceling machines in the post office are scheduled for other special cancellation die hubs.
*This, to me, gives an indication that not all post offices receive the same dies created for and by the USPS. Another indicator that a specific mailing location may be narrowed down.
2.3Application
A written application for a special cancellation die hub must be submitted to the postmaster at the post office where the special cancellation is to be used. The application must be submitted by the sponsor at least 4 months before the date the special cancellation is to be used. The application must provide this information:
a. Complete description and schedule of the event to be observed; evidence that the event is not for private gain or profit; and the name, address, and telephone number of the sponsor to be billed for the cost of manufacturing the die hubs.
b. The wording of the special cancellation, which must be standardized and approved by the sponsor’s national headquarters when the sponsor is an affiliate or local chapter of a national organization. Standardized requests for national events must be forwarded to the manager of Mailing Standards (see G043 for address.) Space available for the wording is limited to three lines of not more than 20 letters, numbers, or spaces each. Illustrations or designs may not be used. The wording must directly reflect the event to be commemorated.
c. Post office name and telephone number where the cancellation is to be used, number of die hubs required, and the requested period of use.
2.4Sponsor Payment
The sponsor must pay the cost of manufacturing the special cancellation die hub and any cost incurred for installing the hub or in adapting canceling machines for its use.
2.5Time Limit on Use
Use of a special cancellation may not exceed 6 months. A special cancellation approved on an annual basis is limited to one 60-day period for each year. A request must be submitted for reuse of recurring annual cancellations 3 months before the date the sponsor wants the cancellation to be used again. For national cancellations, a single request from the national sponsor suffices.
2.6Revocation
Use of any special cancellation may be curtailed or revoked when it is necessary to use special postmarking dies for USPS purposes.
2.7After Use
Used die hubs may not be given to sponsors or transferred to another post office. A request from the sponsor that a special cancellation die hub be kept for an appropriate purpose (e.g., placement in a museum, library, or historical site) may be approved by the manager of Mailing Standards (see G043 for address).
2.8Information
More information about special cancellations is in the Postal Operations Manual.
2.9Mail Submitted for Special Cancellations
A mailer must affix First-Class postage to mail that the mailer wants canceled with a special cancellation. The mail must bear a complete address. Stamps issued by foreign countries are not permitted on the mail. Mail bearing the special cancellation will not be enclosed in another envelope for return even if a postage-paid envelope is provided by the customer. Damaged envelopes canceled with a special cancellation are not replaced.
Sorry. I’ve put in a long day and will have to call it a night now. Posting so you can read and decide for yourself whether it’s useful. Frankly, I think is but will require legwork.
In addition:
I would like to add that I did try and find a 1969 version of this DMM. I did see where there is one for sale but trying to find a free one. I’m sure things like the 190 units might be lower. Just guessing.
Soze
Wow, great information Soze, thanks!
I thought it was interesting that some of the letters were cancelled on Sunday, but that was probably not uncommon back in the sixties in large cities.
I still think this theory may hold up…(of course I’m still biased because I know my suspect was outside of the US quite a bit) I wonder about the bates/confession letters…havent looked at them, possibly being mailed from overseas
Channel 9 letter could have been written in a car..
QT
*ZODIACHRONOLOGY*
