FREE: SOVIET UNION SPACE BLOCK, LOT Nº 4584.-

Really nice item - but, Is this a true 'pre-cancel'? I am under the impression that this was 'cancelled-to-order' and that is a bit different. Do you happen to have a reference for this? Thanks.

I really don´t know the difference between one or other. All whats I can tell you is that the block is with the original gum in the back.

As I understand it -- a "C.T.O." (Canceled-to-Order) stamp: is postally cancelled without the intention of ever going through the mail system, sold usually only to collectors by request. While a "Precancel": is a stamp with the postmark applied before the actual intended mailing of the article it pre-pays, usually sold to companies or institutions in quantities of 250,000 or more, for bulk mailing from a specific site and for only a limited period of time to reduce handling of very large quantities of mail. I asked about this item because I couldn't find a reference that this particular souvenir sheet was supplied by the postal administration in a "pre-cancelled" form. I'm still unsure.