Rhode Island Tercentenary FDC - Unofficial Cancel - Worchester & Providence RPO

Rhode Island Tercentenary Issue First Day Cover
300th Anniversary of the Settlement of Rhode Island
Issued on May 4, 1936 in Providence, RI - Scott #777

Unofficial Cancel - Worchester & Providence RPO
Rhode Island Tercentenary Commission - Planty #777-18b
Variation - Blue without First Day Cover at Bottom

There were two railroad cancellations issued on May 4th 1936 for the First Day of the Rhode Island Tercentenary issue. They are the Worcester and Providence RPO and the Providence Transfer Office.

The Providence & Worchester Railroad was built in 1846-47 utilizing the right of way for the abandoned Blackstone Canal. Union Station in Providence was built by the P&W in 1848. The Providence & Worchester Railroad operated as an independent entity until 1889 when it was leased to the New York, Providence & Boston Railroad and in 1892 the lease was picked up by the New Haven Railroad. In 1946 the Portland to New York run was rerouted to the P&W line and the road continued to operate as a passenger service until 1960 when the "State of Maine" made it's last run.

In 1969 P&W stockholders made a request to resume independent operations and after the I.C.C. granted their request in 1973 they resumed freight operations.

Source: The Rail Lines of Southern New England - Ronald Dale Karr