Guatemala

The first meter was installed in 1947.
All stamps have “GUATEMALA” in the frank except for those in Group C.
Most stamps are printed in red although black is seen occasionally.
The stamps are grouped according to appearance as follows:

A – Upright or square frank

B – Horizontal frank without complete outer frame

C – Open design without outer frame or country name

GROUP A: Upright or square frank with straight-line outer border

“CORREOS DE GUATEMALA” at top, meter number at bottom.
Note that several meter numbers were used with more than one meter stamp type.

A1. Universal "Multi-Value" (MV), 1947.

Currency is CENTAVOS.

M# U-1 up.

TM: DC

V/F:

00 (A)

00 (O)

00■ (A) 000 (O) 000■ (O)

00½ (G)

a. Printed in black (meter U-3 seen)

NOTE: Most TMs contain "GUATEMALA / CENTRO AMERICA", but a few are blank at top with "GUATEMALA C.A." at bottom.

A2. Universal "Multi-Value" (MV). [$10]

Very similar to Type A1 but the TM is lowered with 4-digit impression counter above.

TM: DC

V/F:

00 (O)

00■ (O)

A3. Pitney Bowes "Automax" (MV).

Very similar to Type A1 but currency is QUETZALES.

The lines of the value figures are of equal thickness unlike those of Types A1 and A2.

M# P.B. 1001 u

TM: DC.

V/F: 0.00= =.00=

a. Meter number without "P.B." prefix, no. 1008 seen

The Pitney Bowes "Simplex" stamp previously cataloged as Type A4 is known only as a proof and probably was never used to frank mail.

GROUP B: Horizontal frank with partial outer border

“CORREOS DE GUATEMALA” at top, meter number at bottom. Several meter numbers are known used with more than one stamp type.

Sub-group BA: Quetzal bird facing left between TM and value box

BA1. Pitney Bowes "R" series (MV), 1948.

"CORREOS / DE / GUATEMALA" at the top above the V/F.

The frame line around the V/F is narrow, 14-15mm wide, and has the meter number below.

M# with "P.B." prefix.

Meter numbers known: 4-6, 71-152.

TM: SC, most contain "GUATEMALA/ C.A."

V/F: ≋00 : (The points of the colon are found both closely and widely spaced.)

a. Post Office stamp. Town mark reads "CORREOS DE GUATEMALA". Meter numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are known.

b. Meter number with "RT" prefix, RT4 seen

BA2. Pitney Bowes "5000" series (MV), 1969.

Similar to Type B1 but the inner frame around the value figures is wider, 18mm.

The meter number is below the Quetzal in the center.

M# P.B. 1001 up.

TM: SC

V/F: ≋.00 ≋0.00

BA3. Pitney Bowes "5300" series (MV), 1974.

Similar to Type B2 but the inner frame around the value figures is wider, 22mm.

M# P.B. 5001 up.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00

BA4. Pitney Bowes "A900" (MV), 1994.

Similar to Type B3 but "GUATEMALA" is at the bottom, below the value figures.

M# P.B. 10001 up

V/F: ≋00.00

Sub-group BB: Ornamental leaf between TM and value box

BB1. Pitney Bowes "DM" (LV-21).

"CORREOS DE GUATEMALA" across the top.

A portion of CORREOS is hidden by the town mark.

M# at bottom center with "P.B." prefix.

TM: SC, normally containing "GUATEMALA / C.A."

Values: 1 through 20 or 21

a. Mobile Post Office stamp, with "AMBULANTE" at top of TM

"GUATEMALA-AYUTLA" (78)
"GUATEMALA-PUERTO BARRIOS" (80, 81)
"GUATEMALA-ANGIATU" (82)

b. TM with "QUEZALTENANGO" (10) [scarce]

c. TM with "CHIQUIMULA / CHIQ." (24) [scarce]

d. TM with “COBAN/ A.V.” (14) [very scarce]

Sub-group BC: Quetzal bird facing right between TM and value box

BC1. Pitney Bowes "6300" series (MV).

Scroll work at bottom below V/F with M# at bottom.

TM separated from rest of frank.

M# P.B. 6001 up.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00

GROUP C: Open design without outer frame or country name

C1. Pitney Bowes-GB “A/B900”series (MV).

Plain design with Quetzal bird logo at top center above the meter number.

“EL CORREO” above value figures at right.

The country name, if present, is in the town mark only.

M# with “PB” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋00.00

GROUP PO: Stamps generated by Post Office counter (window) machines

PO1. Unknown (MV).

Label with red "EL CORREO" and quetzal bird logo at top left.

V/F: Q.0.00

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