Stamp out scribbles

sir – Living in the United States, I take great pleasure in the arrival of mail from home, and as a keen philatelist I hope the stamps are undamaged and well-processed by the post office. Sadly, this is often not the case.

Could the Post Office chairman and his colleague at Royal Mail ban the detestable practice of striking through stamps with marking pens and order a return to the use of well-placed and legible franks?

The franking privilege was originally granted by Parliament. If a felt-tip pen has to be used, perhaps its wielder could include the office location and date, or even a personal autograph. Simon Halliday

Rye Brook, New York, United States