United States Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Sub-group PO-A – Stamps generated by commercial postage meters modified for use in post offices
Sub-group PO-A: Stamps generated by commercial postage meters modified for use in post offices
[edit | edit source]- he earliest uses of meters in post offices was experimental. Six Pitney Bowes "J" model series machines and five NCR meters (PO-A1, PO-A2) were trialed in high volume post offices for several months from late 1934 to 1936. The success of these tests led to an expansion. In 1936 a few thousand Pitney Bowes "JD" model series machines and several hundred National Postal Meter machines (PO-A3/-A4/-A5) were placed in post offices. The use of meters in post offices became widespread starting in 1940 with the purchase of tens of thousands of Pitney Bowes' new model "R" series machines (PO-A6). Nearly all post offices in the nation, save the smaller rural venues, received one.
- Most Post Office meter stamps are printed in red, but blue, green, orange, purple, and black stamps are occasionally found.
Type PO-FB6 in 2001 edition
PO-A1.1. Pitney Bowes "J", December 26, 1934.
- As Type FB2.2 but the meter number has P.O. prefix (except for variety a).
- Four machines were placed in five high volume post offices for trials:
- V/F: .00 : (range: .00½ to 9.99½)
NOTES:
- Meter P.O.90060 ("NEW YORK / N.Y.", PO-A1.1B) was the first meter used in a U.S. post office. It was used for eleven days from December 20♦ to December 31, 1934. It was replaced by meter 90016 (PO-A1.1a) on January 4, 1935 which was in us ten days only before being replaced by meter P.O.90060 with new town mark "MAD. SQ. STA. / NEW YORK, N.Y." on January 15, 1935. Both P.O.90060 with town mark "NEW YORK / N.Y." and 90016 with town mark "MAD. SQ. STA. / NEW YORK, N.Y." are extremely rare.
- First day of use for meter P.O.90061 was January 3, 1935.
- First day of use for meter P.O.90062 was March 8, 1935.
- Examples are known with slogan commemorating the silver jubilee of parcel post in 1938.
♦ Although the earliest date known on a postally used stamp is December 26, 1934 a zero cent proof of P.O.90060 ("NEW YORK / N.Y.") exists dated December 20th. The earlier date is probably closer to the actual first day of use (which remains unknown) since the machine was probably installed to see if it would speed the franking of Christmas parcels.
Type PO-FB8 in 2001 edition
PO-A1.2. Pitney Bowes "J".
- As Type FB2.4 but the meter number has P.O. prefix (except for variety a).
- Meter P.O.90061 (PO-A1.1) and two other machines were used in post offices after the meter dies were re-engraved with larger inscriptions in the upper corners:
- V/F: .00 : (range: .00½ to 9.99½)
Type PO-EC1 in 2001 edition
PO-A2. National Cash Register Company March 7, 1936. [R/RR]
- As Type EC1.1 but the meter number has P.O. prefix.
- The machines were installed on February 24, 1936 and first placed into use on March 7, 1936.
- Five machines, possibly six, were used:♦
- V/F: .00 (range: .00½ to 9.99½)
♦ A proof from a sixth machine, P.O. 106 "DAYTON, OHIO", exists. It is possible the machine was placed in the Dayton Ohio post office for an early local trial (NCR's headquarters are in Dayton), but used stamps are not known to exist.
Type PO-GA1 in 2001 edition
PO-A3.1. Pitney Bowes "JD/JDC", 1936. [R/RR]
- As Type GA1 but the town mark contains P. and O. at the sides.
- Four machines were fielded:
- V/F: 0 00 (range: 0 01 to 99 99)
Type PO-GA2 in 2001 edition
PO-A3.2. Pitney Bowes "JD/JDC".
- As Type GA2 but the town mark contains P. and O. at the sides.
- Several thousand of these machines were fielded, and many varieties of town mark exist.
- Meter numbers: 91000-93999, 95000-97999 series
- Town mark sub-types:
- A. Town at top, state at bottom
- B. Station name at top, town and state at bottom: 93223, 93845, 93968, 95668, 96721, 96774, 96778♦
- C. Town and state at top, station name at bottom
- D. Town and state at top, "STATION" and number at bottom: 96798
- E. Town and state at top, station name and "P.P." (for parcel posts) at bottom: 96768, 95693
- F. Town and state at top, zone number at bottom: 93643, 96690, 96796 [R]
- G. Town and state at top, "POST OFFICE" at bottom: 96797 PHILADELPHIA PA.[R]
- H. Town and state at top, "PARCEL POST" at bottom: 96778, 96797
- I. Town and state at top, "PARCEL POST NO." and number at bottom: [R]
- J. Town and state at top, blank at bottom:
- V/F: . 00 (range: . 00½ to 9.99½)
♦ These are the numbers seen or reported. Other numbers for all these sub-types probably exist.
Type PO-HA4-1 in 2001 edition
PO-A4.1. National Postal Meter model "14". [R]
- As Type HA2.1 but the meter number has P.O.––No prefix.
- One meter only: 6055 LOS ANGELES CALIF.
- V/F:
- a. After the meter was withdrawn from service in the post office it was assigned to a private firm in error with the meter number prefix unchanged, town mark "VULTEE FIELD / CALIF."
Type PO-HA4-2 in 2001 edition
PO-A4.2 National Postal Meter model "14", 1939.
- As Type HA2.1 but the meter number has P.O.– prefix and –NPM suffix.
- Town mark sub-types:
- A. Town at top, state at bottom: 6153, 6927♦ [S]
- B. Town and state at top, station name at bottom: 6178, 6372, 6926, 6927, 6930, 6934 [C]
- C. Town and state at top, station name and "P.P." at bottom: 6162, 6894, 6937, 6942, 6943 (all CHICAGO ILL. / OLD P.O. ANNEX P.P.) [S]
- D. Town and state at top, "PARCEL POST" at bottom: 6153, 6176, 6177, 6928, 6929, 6930, 6931, 6933, 6935, 6936, 6938, 6939, 6940, 6941, 6944 [C]
- E. Town and state at top, "PARCEL POST NO." and number at bottom: 6932 NEWARK N.J. / PARCEL POST NO. 1 (in use from July 30, 1940 to April 1, 1942) [RRR]
- V/F:
♦ These are the numbers seen or reported. Other numbers for all these sub-types probably exist.
NOTE: Meter 6931 (PITTSBURGH PA. / PARCEL POST) was used with a slogan commemorating National Letter Writing Week, October 6-12, 1940.
Type PO-HA4-3 in 2001 edition
PO-A4.3. National Postal Meter model "14", 1942. [R/RR]
- As Type HA2.1 (meter number with N.P.M.–––No prefix) but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- V/F:
NOTE: Meter 6415 with town mark "NEW YORK / N.Y." was used in a post office, New York's Madison Square Station, without any indication of post office use in the design.
Type PO-HA5-1 in 2001 edition
PO-A4.4 National Postal Meter model "14", 1942. [S/RRR]
Type PO-HA5-2 in 2001 edition
PO-A4.5. National Postal Meter model "14", 1946. [R]
- As Type HA2 but with single circle town mark.
- One meter only: P.O.–6943–NPM CHICAGO ILL. / OLD P.O. ANNEX P.P.
- V/F:
Type PO-HB2 in 2001 edition
PO-A5. National Postal Meter model "14", 1940.
- As Type HB2 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- Four sub-types found:
- Meter numbers in 7000 to 9000 series.
- V/F: (range: .00½ to 9.99½)
Type PO-IA3 in 2001 edition
PO-A6.1. Pitney Bowes "R", 1940.
Type PO-IA4A in 2001 edition
PO-A6.2. Pitney Bowes "R" series, 1942.
- a. As B, with advertising slogan from private firm (error): [R]
- - 306178
- - 337631
- - 367660
- b. As B, town at top of town mark, state and zone number at bottom: 195559[R]
- c. As B, town and state at top of town mark, ZIP code at bottom: 182653[R]
- d. As B, town and state at top of town mark, station name at bottom: [S]
- - 107053
- - 176795
- - 312468
- e. As B, town and state at top of town mark, bottom blank: [R]
- - 121060
- a. As B, with advertising slogan from private firm (error): [R]
- - 392052
- f. With town and state at top of town mark, station name at bottom. Without "POST OFFICE", "P. O.", OR "US PS": 176795 FREDERICK, MD. / LILYPONS RURAL STA.[R]
- g. As f, with "CONTRACT STA." and number at bottom: [S]
- h. As g, with "CONTRACT STA. No." and number at bottom: 179940 YAKIMA, WASH. / CONTRACT STA. No.5[R]
Type PO-IA4B in 2001 edition
PO-A6.3. Pitney Bowes "RF/RT". [R]
- As Type IA4.2 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- A. "P." and "O." at sides of town mark
- B. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark
- V/F: ≋ 00 :
Type PO-IA10A in 2001 edition
PO-A6.4. Pitney Bowes "RT-3".
- As Type IA4.5 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- V/F: ≋ 00 : (colon dots widely spaced)
Type PO-IA10B in 2001 edition
PO-A6.5. Pitney Bowes "RT-3".
- As Type IA4.6 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- V/F: ≋ 00 : (colon dots widely spaced)
Type PO-IA12A in 2001 edition
PO-A6.6. Pitney Bowes "RT-4". [R]
- As Type IA4.8 but with "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark.
- All examples seen were assigned in error to private firms. Most have a slug or slogan at left.
- V/F: ≋ 00 ≋
Type PO-IA12B in 2001 edition
PO-A6.7. Pitney Bowes "RT-4".
- As Type IA4.9 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- All examples seen were assigned in error to private firms. Most have a slug or slogan at left.
- V/F: ≋ 00 ≋
Type PO-IC1 in 2001 edition
PO-A7.1. Pitney Bowes "5300". [RR]
Type PO-IC2 in 2001 edition
PO-A7.2. Pitney Bowes "5302". [RRRR]
- As Type IC2 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- One meter reported: 530119 STAMFORD / CONN.
- V/F: ≋ .00 :
Type PO-IC3A in 2001 edition
PO-A7.3. Pitney Bowes "5303".
- As Type IC3.1 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- A. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines
- B. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines [R]
- C. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines
- D. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines [R]
- Meter numbers in the 500000, 950000, 960000, and 980000 series
- V/F: ≋ 0 .00
Type PO-IC3B in 2001 edition
PO-A7.4. Pitney Bowes 5336/5382".
- As Type IC3.2 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- A. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines [R]
- B. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines [R]
- C. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines
- D. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines
- E. As C but "PS" at left and "US" at right (error) [RRR]
- Meter numbers in the 950000, 960000, and 3300000 series
- V/F: ≋ 0 .00
Type PO-IC4A in 2001 edition
PO-A7.5. Pitney Bowes "5308/5318".
- As Type IC4.1 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- Meter numbers in 500000, 800000, and 900000 series.
- V/F: ≋. 00
Type PO-IC4B in 2001 edition
PO-A7.6. Pitney Bowes 5335/5380".
Type PO-IC8A in 2001 edition
PO-A7.7. Pitney Bowes 5322". [RR]
- As Type IC8.1 but with "P" and "O" in the town mark.
- One meter reported: 879933 SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE / CALIF.
- V/F: ≋ .00 ≋
Type PO-IC8B in 2001 edition
PO-A7.8. Pitney Bowes 5337/5383".
- As Type IC8.2 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- A. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines [RR]
- B. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines: 6842135 [RR]
- C. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines: 3332866 [RR]
- D. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines: [R]
- V/F: ≋ .00 ≋
Type PO-IE1 in 2001 edition
PO-A8. Pitney Bowes "6500", 1981.
- As Type IE1 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- A. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines: 6005282 [RR]
- B. "P" and "O" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines: 6842135 [RR]
- C. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has widely spaced lines:
- D. "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark, wavy line triad at left of value figures has narrowly spaced lines [C]
- V/F: ≋ 0 .00 ≋
- a. As C, with "US" and "PS" partially removed
- b. With slogan from private firm (error)
- c. With four long dashes at left ("Parcelmatic lines")
- d. With directional slug (error)
Type PO-IG1 in 2001 edition
PO-A9.1. Pitney Bowes "A900", 1981. [RR]
Type PO-IG2 in 2001 edition
PO-A9.2. Pitney Bowes "A900". [RRR]
- As Type IG2 but with "US" and "PS" at the sides of the town mark.
- One meter reported: 8326125 SAN ANTONIO / TX.
- V/F: ≋ 0 .00 ≋
Type PO-JA1 in 2001 edition
PO-A10.1. Postalia "KF-1501".
- As Type JA1.1 but with post office use indicated in the town mark.
- One meter known: "US" and "PS" at sides: 614761 FOREST PARK / IL (used April 1985 to August 1987) [RR]
- V/F: ≋.00
Type PO-JA5 in 2001 edition
PO-A10.2. Postalia "KF-1501", 1979. [RRR]
- As Type JA2.1 but with "USPO" at bottom of town mark.
- Two meters seen: 607634 and 608254, both "LITTLETON, COLO. ORCHARD PLAZA BR."
- V/F: ≋.00
Type PO-JA14 in 2001 edition
PO-A10.3. Postalia "T-1000". [S]
NOTE. Many Postalia "T1000" model meters were used in smaller post offices throughout the country. In most cases the stamps did not show any indication of post office use in the town mark.
Type PO-JB1 in 2001 edition
PO-A11.1. Postalia "7000" (Electronic). []
- As Type JB1.1 but with "US" and "PS" at sides of town mark.
- One known: 720868 RUTLAND / VT [R]
- V/F: ≋.00
Type PO-JB1 in 2001 edition
PO-A11.2. Postalia "7000" (Electronic). []
- As Type JB1.1 but with "USPS" at bottom of town mark.
- One known: 701441 DAVIS CA EL MACERO CPO [R]
- V/F: ≋.00
Type PO-KB1 in 2001 edition
PO-A12.1. Friden "9222".
- As Type KB1.1 but with "P" and "P" at the sides of the town mark.
- Meter number with serif "F" prefix.
- Meter numbers in 030000 and 200000 series.
- V/F: ≋.00≋
Type PO-KB3 in 2001 edition
PO-A12.2. Friden "9222".
- As Type KB2.1 but with "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark.
- Meter numbers in 030000 and 200000 series.
- V/F: ≋.00≋
- a. As A, in 030000 series without "P" and "O" in the town mark
- b. As B, in 030000 series without "P" and "O" in the town mark
- c. As A, with slogan from private firm (error)
- d. As A, town mark contains "P" and "O" only without town and state: 223077 [RR]
- e. As A, the "P" and "O" in the town mark are aligned so that their bottoms rather than their sides touch the circle: [R]
- f. As B, value figures without wavy line triad at right: 223887
- g. Line missing above meter number
- h. As g but with line also missing below "U.S.POSTAGE"
Type PO-KB4 in 2001 edition
- As Type KB2.2 but with "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark.
- Meter number with serif "F" prefix.
- Meter numbers in the 310000 series.
- V/F: ≋.00≋
- a. Line missing below "U.S.POSTAGE"
Type PO-KB5 in 2001 edition
- As Type KB2.3 but with "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark.
- Meter number with serif "F" prefix.
- Meter numbers in the 041000 and 320000 series.
- V/F: ≋.00
Type PO-KB6 in 2001 edition
PO-A12.5. Friden "9222". [RRRR]
- As Type KB3.1 but with "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark. The two letters are aligned so that their bottoms rather than their sides touch the circle.
- Meter number with small serif "F" prefix.
- One meter only: 238522 BECKLEY / W.VA.
- V/F: ≋.00
NOTE: In use during an unknown period in May and possibly June 1993. Only two examples are known.
Type PO-KE1 in 2001 edition
- As Type KE1.1 but with "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark.
- Meter number with sanserif "F" prefix.
- Four meters known:
- V/F: ≋.00≋
- a. With "P" and "O" partially removed (meters 5005798 and 5113283 seen this way)
Type PO-KE3 in 2001 edition
- As Type KE1.3B but with "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark.
- Meter number with sanserif "F" prefix.
- Four meters known:
- V/F: ≋0.00
- a. With four sets of small vertical dashes left of the town mark:
Type PO-KF1 in 2001 edition
PO-A14. Friden Alcatel "9232". [R]
Type PO-LA1 in 2001 edition
PO-A15. Hasler "Mailmaster". [RRRR]
- As Type LA1.1 but with "US" and "PS" at the sides of the town mark.
- One meter only: H2141920 HOUSTON / T.
- One example only known, dated January 25, 1982.
- V/F: 00.00
Type PO-LB1 in 2001 edition
PO-A16.1. Hasler "Mailmaster". [R]
- As Type LB1.1 but with "C.S." (for Contract Station) after the town name.
- One known: 2584335 FARMINGTON C.S. / N.M.
- V/F: 00.00
Type PO-LB1 in 2001 edition
PO-A16.2. Hasler "Mailmaster". [R]
- As Type LB1.1 but with "USPS" in the town mark.
- Two known: 583407 and 593468, both WINDCREST CPU SAN ANTONIO TX USPS
- V/F: 00.00
Type PO-LB4 in 2001 edition
PO-A16.3. Hasler "Mailmaster". [RRRR]
- As Type LB2.1 but with "USPS" and station name in the town mark.
- Two known: 707866 and 714282, both BOWLING GREEN OH 43402 USPS STATION 1
- V/F: 00.00
NOTE: The one example we have seen has "PRESORTED FIRST CLASS" directional slug at left.
Unlisted in 2001 edition
PO-A17. Neopost-Hasler "IJ-25”.
- As Type QA1.1 but with "USPS" vertical replacing the torch-in-hand at left of "US POSTAGE".
- Meter number with 042J prefix.
- V/F: $0.00
Type PO-SB1-1 in 2001 edition
PO-A18.1. Neopost-Hasler "PostLink”. [R]
- As Type QA2 but meter number has "01US" prefix.
- Used in contract post offices.
- Seen on label with "Secure Funds / by HASLER" at upper right.
- V/F: $0.00
Type PO-SB1-2 in 2001 edition
PO-A18.2. Neopost-Hasler "PostLink”.
- As Type QA2 but meter number has "011T" prefix.
- Used in contract post offices.
- Seen on two labels:
- V/F: $0.00
Unlisted in 2001 edition
PO-A19. Francotyp-Postalia.
- As Type QC1.2 but with "USPS" over "CPU" and small "FP" logo replacing the large "FP logo.
- Meter number with 031A prefix.
- V/F: $00.00