SPECIAL HANDLING TITLE PAGE

Transcription

1 SPECIAL HANDLING TITLE PAGE U. S. Special Handling : The Stamps and the Service A New Service Called Special Handling was Introduced on April 15, It Required Live Chicks and Bees to be Expedited with the First Class Mail Background and Purpose: Never before has Special Handling been recognized as the forerunner of today s Priority Mail for parcels. This exhibit presents for the first time, the comprehensive story of this vital service which allowed time-sensitive merchandise, such as live chicks and bees, to move with the speed of First Class mail. The stamps were produced on flat plates for an unprecedented 31 years, which produced numerous printing varieties most of which are not recognized nor have ever been seen by collectors. All the stamps are presented here along with representative uses, many of which are scarce. Although it still exists, the Special Handling service has essentially been replaced by lower cost Priority Mail. LIVE CHICKS Required Special Handling Parcel Post Label May 13, 1935 APEX LIVE BEES The Other Merchandise Requiring Special Handling Service Animal Shipping Labels Stained with Honey, Were Usually Discarded Date on Cancel at Left Enhanced with High Contrast Imaging Date Stamp: Redding, CALIF April 18, 1944 PARCEL POST Parcel Quarantine Declaration March 26, 1942, the first day of the new 3% War Surcharge Many labels and wrappers show evidence of animal wastes and residues; very few covers were saved. New Parcel Post rates: Zone 2-8 first lb., 1.1 next 7 lbs. = 15.7, rounded up, Organization and Plan: plus the new 3% war surcharge, 1 minimum, yielding the 17 total Prexy franking. Frame 1: Service authorization; commercial uses for LIVES Chicks, bees and alligators; unique set of trial color proofs. Scope and Development: Frame 2: Trial color selected - approved large die proofs; 25 first printing; first days; transfer roll breaks; early uses. This exhibit illustrates both the stamps and the service, from their inception in early 1925, complete through Frame 3: 1925 Uses (cont d.); 25 second printing; production; 25 uses; 1928 rate announcement and die proofs. the 1955 dry-printing period, until 1959 when the dedicated stamps were withdrawn from sale. Frame 4: 15 Variety; Siderographers/designers; EFOs; 1928 commercial uses Chicks, gators, catalogs & international. Stamps from each of the five major printings are shown, followed by commercial uses, if known. Frame 5: 1928 Uses - oversize; 1933 FDR Proofs; Special Paper & 1955 dry-printings; 1949 and 1957 Rates; Summary. The exhibit also features the scarce varieties, providing identification keys and guidance, so collectors may seek discovery copies of, as yet, unknown issues or uses, such as the 10 and 20 dry-prints on cover. Featured items appear in a bold red border

2 SERVICE AUTHORIZATION COMMERCIAL USE Here s the Rest of the Story... LIVE ALLIGATORS were added to the Regulation on July 1, Only these LIVE categories were specifically identified for expedited service. Shippers of other merchandise immediately began taking advantage of this new opportunity. Complete wrapper (folded in half) October 23, 1932 Rates properly for 1 lb. parcel to a Zone 5 destination.... for use on fourth-class mail matter, which would secure for such mail matter the expeditious handling accorded to mail matter of the first class.

3 1925 PRINTING - PRE-PRODUCTION TRIAL COLOR PROOFS How was the Stamp Color Stamp Selected? Trial Color Proofs were Prepared in the Colors of the Ordinary Stamps of the Day, sixteen in all. These two red colors look the same, but are actually different; below is Carmine Lake No artwork, drawings, designs or essays are known for the Special Handling stamps Carmine Rose, discovered in 2013, was printed with the 20 ordinary stamp ink color Original pencil notations on reverse verify the intended trial colors desired These Carmine Trial Color shades, once thought to be duplicates, have been proven unique: Color/Shade Differences Confirmed Shown here are the reverse side notations on the 2 Carmine Lake, by VSC 6000 Spectral Analysis and on the 20 Carmine Rose Trial Color Proofs, and the corresponding ordinary stamps: (National Postal Museum 2014) All Trial Color Proofs in this Frame are ex-southgate, ex-brazer Fourth Bureau 2 Carmine January 15, Carmine Rose May 1, 1923

4 1925 PRINTING - PRE-PRODUCTION TRIAL COLOR PROOFS Trial Color Proofs were Prepared for the Postmaster General from which to select the Official Color for Stamp Production 2013 Discovery Blue One of the Original Set of 13 Trial Colors Recorded by Southgate and Brazer Dark Blue Trial Color Proof Origin Uncertain Shown here, the reverse side notations on the 5 Dark Blue & 14 Trial Color Proofs, and the base stamps Ink Differences Confirmed by Xray Diffraction/Elemental Analysis (National Postal Museum 2014) Fourth Bureau Issues: 5 Dark Blue October 27, 1922; 14 Blue May 1, 1923

5 1925 PRINTING - PRE-PRODUCTION TRIAL COLOR PROOF The Trial Colors are one of the little-known surprises of the Special Handling stamps! Catalog-named Colors on this page: Brown, below; Orange, below-right; Black, right These colors available for the selection process from regular stamps: Yellow-Brown Red-Orange Black January 15, 1923 November 20, 1922 May 1, 1923

6 TRIAL COLOR PROOFS Special Handling Trial Color Proofs were for production, not collectors 16 Proofs were presented to the PMG for final selection. The Deep-Green proof chosen is in the next frame. Olive-Green Rose Orange May 1, 1923 January 15, 1923 January 15, 1923

7 1925 PRINTING - PRE-PRODUCTION TRIAL COLOR PROOF This Page shows three more Trial Color Proofs: These Catalog-named colors are Light Blue Green, Dark Violet Brown and Apple Green The 13 ordinary stamp in everyday use in 1925 was from the Third Bureau Washington/Franklin series issued in Greenish Blue Brown Violet Apple Green October 4, 1922 March 20, 1923 January 10, 1919

8 1925 PRINTING - PRE-PRODUCTION TRIAL COLOR PROOFS This Frame Holds the Entire Unique Set of 15 Trial Color Proofs Known of the United States Special Handling Stamp There are no Control Numbers on any of these proofs. There are surface scrapings on the reverse side of each Trial Color Proof giving evidence the Control Numbers were scratched off by whom, unknown. In the sequence presented, the 3 Violet (Abraham Lincoln) is conspicuous by its absence. It is not known to exist. Gray Olive Brown October 4, 1922 March 20, 1923

9 25 FIRST PRINTING LARGE DIE PROOFS INITIAL PRODUCTION BEP Selected this Trial Color Proof, Deep Green, for the Final Stamp Color Unique, the Control Number has been scratched identically as in all the original Trial Color Proofs Below is one of Six Large Die Proofs pulled AFTER the color selection These four have a different appearance than the Trial Color Proof set Deep-Green is the diagnostic color for stamps printed only in 1925 All Known Original Large Die Proofs have been Accounted for: The 25 large die proof retained by the Postmaster General is No Confirmed in the National Postal Museum archives 11 July, 2013 The 25 large die proof retained by the BEP is No Large Die Proof No Signed by Postmaster General Harry S. New Confirmed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing 17 April, 2014 There are three other 1925 large die proofs, No , & in private hands. A later, Roosevelt yellow-green Favor Proof, pulled on 2 May 1933 is in Frame 6.

10 25 FIRST PRINTING PRODUCTION VARIETIES The A-T, T-A and Dot on the T Varieties - Graphic Representation of Transfer Roll Relief Breaks - These Plate Varieties Occur Only on Plate No Two Top Stamps are Normal Bottom Two are A-T A-T Variety Starts in Position #17 in the Upper Right pane Graphic Below and Legend Only Apply for the 1925 Issue, Plate Sheet #17103; Full Pane Upper Left Position, Shown Above. All Other Plates used for this First Printing are without Breaks. A-T Variety in STATES : F A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T T-A A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T A-T T-A T-A T-A T-A T-A This Block of 4 with Plate Number is from the Upper Left Pane of Discovery: Dot on the T Variety at UR Discovery: T-A Variety Found in Position LL26 Dot on the T Variety: Confirmed on the Plate Proof: All Plate Number Positions of #17103 are Uniquely Identifiable! Legend for Graphic - Plate No = Sheet of 200 Outline - Large Rectangle = Pane of 50 Within Each Sheet of 200 Subjects = Plate Block Position in Pane/Sheet = Normal Stamp - No "A-T" or "T-A" Breaks A-T = Single Break - "AT" Variety A-T = Single "AT" Break - "Broken T" Variety A-T = "Dot on the T" Variety Top Pair, UR39 & UR40 A-T Only; Bottom Pair, UR44 & UR45 A-T with Broken T Plate Block of Six No contains 3 T-A Breaks: A-T has a Broken T : Photo Enlarged from Upper Right Stamp in Above Block T-A = Double Break - "T-A" Joined Variety T-A Variety in POSTAGE : Position Confirmed on the Plate Proof Sheet The break occurs at position LL26 as seen in the isolated pink box on the sheet above. Since the T-A break is not in the bottom row of stamps of this block, it led to the search and confirmation of this position in the proof sheet. T-A Variety Starts at Position #46 in the Lower Right pane

11 25 FIRST PRINTING INITIAL PRODUCTION April 10, 1925 Color Variation: Pre-Issue Private Souvenir Piece Mint Four Color Shade Extremes In the First Printing (Positive ID as A-T Type) Deep Green (Dark) Initialed by Postmaster General Harry S. New Deep Green (Medium) Signed by Third Asst. PMG W. Irving Glover Same Basic Piece Favor Canceled Deep Green (Normal) Deep Green (Light) Deep Green (Light)

12 25 FIRST PRINTING FIRST DAY OF ISSUE First Day Cover Prepared by Edward G. Worden April 11, 1925 First Day of Issue An Unusual First Day Margin Block of Four With a Dot on the T Transfer Roll Break FDC Combination Cover with Special Delivery One of three known First Day Covers prepared with Special Handling Plate Blocks One of Two Known with the A-T Transfer Roll Relief Single Break Variety

13 25 FIRST PRINTING FIRST DAY OF SERVICE April 15, 1925 First Day of Service Favor-Canceled Plate Block, April Commercial Parcel Post Wrapper prepared by Wm. E. Seaver Documents the New Service... from the flawed Plate No Details in next frame. Worden First Day of Service Cover 2 Definitive stamp pays the rate increase amount, for this weight and zone, introduced on the same date The stamp was issued four days before the service was officially implemented

14 25 FIRST PRINTING COMMERCIAL USE Three Different Commercial Uses, Not Critter Related - Two are Equivalent to Today s Priority Mail Service 1927 Commercial Wrapper SPECIAL DELIVERY SPECIAL HANDLING = Today s Priority Mail Publisher s parcel was delivered next day, even with Insufficient Address marking Special Handling Plus Special Delivery Fastest Mode Available for Parcels at the Time Machine parts Shipped C. O. D. Delivered next day 25 Stamp is an A-T Break variety from the flawed Plate No Stamps for 2 lb. Zone 2 Parcel Post - 8 postage - and 12 C.O.D. fee - are on reverse side Special Handling, Insured A Very Early Laundry Parcel Insert Tag December 1, 1926 November 30, 1927 Properly rated for 2 lb. parcel within 50 miles (Zone 1) Priority Mail then was 35 : 25 Special Handling plus 10 Special Delivery. Today, Priority Mail starts at $5.75; Special Delivery was discontinued on 7 June As of 1 June 2015, Special Handling is: Special Handling - Fragile and carries a flat $10.35 service fee. Rating of 30 postage for the tag at right: Correct for 12 lb. parcel to Zone 8 for the 1 st lb. and 2 for each add l. lb. Insurance was 10 for $25.01 to $50 coverage.

15 25 FIRST PRINTING COMMERCIAL USE Early Use of Special Handling for Non-Poultry Merchandise 25 Service Fee Secured First Class Treatment - Special Delivery Service Added at Sender s Expense Commercial Movement of Advertising Material. Special Handling service paid the flat rate for parcel movement with First Class mail between post offices. Special Delivery paid the flat rate for service from the post office to the recipient, limited to 10 lbs. max. 25 Stamp is an A-T Break variety from the flawed Plate No Parcel Post was proper for five different weight and zone combinations; Actual tag had 22 postage for the 3 lb. parcel rate to Zone 5, highlighted here: Parcel Post Rates Effective April 15, 1925 to June 30, Flat Rate Special Handling Fee for Any Weight to 70 Lbs. - Postal Rates by Weight & Zone Weight Local Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Rating (at left): Philadelphia to NY = 86 mi. 12 Parcel Post for Zone 2 Paid for a 6 lb. parcel; add 25 Special Handling flat fee, and 15 for Special Delivery for a parcel >2 and 10 lbs. 1 $ 0.07 $ 0.07 $ 0.07 $ 0.08 $ 0.09 $ 0.10 $ 0.11 $ 0.13 $ $ 0.08 $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.12 $ 0.17 $ 0.22 $ 0.27 $ 0.33 $ $ 0.11 $ 0.14 $ 0.14 $ 0.22 $ 0.37 $ 0.52 $ 0.67 $ 0.83 $ $ 0.15 $ 0.22 $ 0.22 $ 0.38 $ 0.69 $ 1.00 $ 1.31 $ 1.63 $ $ 0.22 $ 0.36 $ 0.36 $ 0.66 $ 1.25 $ 1.84 $ 2.43 $ 3.03 $ $ 0.22 $ 0.37 $ 0.37 $ 0.68 $ 1.29 $ 1.90 $ 2.51 $ 3.13 $ 3.74 Tag postmarked Minneapolis, Minn. October 14, Parcel went to Buffalo a Zone 5 destination. Receiving postmarks on front and back of tag.

16 25 FIRST PRINTING COMMERCIAL WRAPPER Package Wrapper Entire Parcel Post with Special Handling to Expedite Gift on the Occasion of an Upcoming Inaugural Flight Gift Notation in Pencil from Sender Los Angeles to Cheyenne, WYO. Dated May 28, 1926 Receiver Cancel Includes P. M. OFFICE Marking for the Postmaster Special Handling Segment is Non-Philatelic Wrapper Entire Folded to Fit on This Page Actual Size is 15 x 17¾ Probably Saved For the Inaugural Flight Souvenir Cancel, Carried Three Days Later

17 1925 First Printing Commercial Label Special Handling was the ONLY Postal Service which Provided Expedited Package Shipment Between Post Offices Most Parcels went on a Time and Space Available Basis The single 25 Special Handling flat rate service fee was applicable for any weight and any distance for all parcel post matter not just live animals. These Time Sensitive Photo Products were sent with the First Class Mail Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, dated January 17, 1927 Oversize Package Wrapper Remnant with Entire Shipping Label Fully Ratable, and Accurately Franked 20 was the proper Parcel Post rate for a 14 lb. parcel with a Zone 2 ( miles) destination (D.C. to Phila. is 120 miles)

18 25 SECOND PRINTING 1928 YELLOW GREEN 1925 vs Printings Ink Color is the ONLY Difference: PS E PS E First Printing 1928 Second Printing Deep Green Ink No. Unknown* Yellow-Green Ink No. G-415-P Printing: 21.0 Million Stamps Printing: 2.8 Million Stamps Color Shades and Variation in 25 Values The following 12 stamps are arranged by color variation, dark to light: 1925 Printing: Deep-Green (Six Shades Below) 1928 Printing: Yellow-Green (Six Shades Below) Mint Sheet at Right is mid-range of Yellow-Green Shade Light Shades of the First Printing (1925) may be Confused with many Shades of the Second Printing (1928) Colors May Vary Within a Press Run due to the Re-inking of Plates Colors May Vary Within a Stamp Issue due to Change in Lot Number of Ink Color Comparisons Best Made in Daylight; Difficult to Discern under Indoor Lighting. *BEP Records verify there is no record of the ink lot number for the Deep-Green 25 stamp; BEP records also verify production numbers.

19 25 SECOND PRINTING vs. 25 FIRST PRINTING EVENT COVERS APEX Yellow-Green Special Handling Stamp on Cover Discovery Copy & Only One Recorded Byrd Expedition dated JAN 30, The EDU on Cover for the 25 Second Printing The Byrd Stamp was issued October 9, 1933 for use with Antarctic Expedition II Not known how or why the Special Handling stamp was applied; do others exist? Franklin Roosevelt conceived the expedition stamp and had a hand in the design. Little America Post Office serviced 240,000 pieces of mail. A 50 surcharge was added to the price of the Byrd stamp to offset the cost of the expedition Printing - 25 Yellow-Green Special Handling Earliest Known Use (EDU) MAY 1928 Parcel Post Circular Date Cancel In-Period Rates changed July 1, 1928 Parcel Post cancel confirms proper use for intended service July 9, 1928: All 25 Special Handling stamps were called for redemption. German Airship L.Z. 127 Flight Postage Paid with Special Handling Stamps August 26, 1929 Color Shades Clearly Different Yellow-Green vs. Deep-Green First Graf Zeppelin, Friedrichshafen to Lakehurst, was October 28, No international airmail stamps were available at the time. This cover, from Los Angeles to New York, required 60 cents postage; thus, the cover is officially overpaid by 15 cents; note the 5 airmail postal stationery. Nonetheless, an attractive and scarce piece using all four denominations of Special Handling stamps available at that time. The 25 stamps had already been withdrawn. Yellow-Green Variety Scarcity Rationale: Only available for six months Only used on parcel post matter 1925 deep-green stamps were still available 25 stamps rendered obsolete by new rates Not catalog-listed until 1932 Many 25 stamps redeemed for 10, 15 & 20 stamps

20 1925 FIRST PRINTING/1928 SECOND PRINTING PRODUCTION PLATES - 25 PRINTINGS All 25 Stamps were Printed with Eight Different Plate Numbers Shown are Plate Numbers for all Plates used to Print the 25 Stamps - both the 1925 deep-green and 1928 yellow-green printings. Plate Numbers 17095, 17096, & were used for both the First and Second Printings 1925 and 1928, respectively Yellow-Green 1928 Yellow-Green Color alone is the only means of separating the 1925 Deep-Green vs Yellow-Green stamps. Plate Number is shown on the full pane, next page to the right it is the 1928 Yellow-Green shade Deep-Green F Plate Markings When a plate was hardened, or finished, an F Plate Number is on the 1925 Deep-Green full pane in Frame 2, Page 3/4. was punched to the left of the plate numbers on the upper right hand Unique Plate Numbers for the Deep-Green Issue: side of the plate. The F is either 2 mm. or 2½ mm. high. Plate Numbers 17099, 17101, and were Used Only in Deep-Green 1925 Deep-Green 1925 Deep-Green Following the January 1928 Second Printing, All 25 Plates were Retired

21 1928 RATES PRE-PRODUCTION FIRST DAY and LARGE DIE PROOF Three New Denomination Stamps were Issued: A New, Reduced Rate Structure Became Effective July 1, Wet Printing 15 Wet Printing 20 Wet Printing Yellow Green Yellow Green Yellow Green 10 Yellow-Green Large Die Proof No New Rate Structure Based Solely on Parcel Weight (Not Distance) 10 Cent Special Handling Fee - Postal Rates by Weight & Zone 2 Lbs. 15 Cent Special Handling Fee - Postal Rates by Weight & Zone >2 Lbs. 20 Cent Special Handling Fee - Postal Rates by Weight & Zone >10 Lbs. A Robinette Combination First Day Cover June 25, 1928 Three New Stamps Signed by Postmaster General Harry S. New Die Number is Printed on Reverse Side of This Proof: 1928 printing FDC stamps all show the yellow-green shade printings Stamps printed after 1928 were green, not yellow-green

22 1928 RATES - PRE-PRODUCTION LARGE DIE PROOFS Large Die Proofs Printed for the Approval of the Higher Denomination Stamps for the 1928 Rate Increases 20 Yellow-Green Stamp - Large Die Proof No Yellow-Green Large Die Proof No Proof Control Number is stamped in blue ink on reverse... This proof and all the 1928 stamps produced were yellow-green. The next run was in and subsequent production until 1955 were plain green, and had no yellowish tint. Proof Control Number on Reverse: Three of the 20 Proofs are at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing; One is in the Postmaster General s collection, and four others are believed to be in private collections. Similar duplicates exist for the 10 and 15 Large Die Proofs.

23 1925 & 1928 PRINTINGS PRODUCTION VARIETIES Marginal Markings Siderographers and Finishers Initials Nine employees of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing (BEP) were Siderographers they created the engraved printing plates from dies and transfer rolls. Their initials are in the lower left margins. Eight BEP employees completed, or finished the 25 Special Handling plates in 1925, following the siderographers operations. There were only five finishers for the 10, 15 & 20 plates in Clyde Volchester DeBinder (10 ) Laurence R. Murray (10 & 20 ) & James W. Gessford (10 ) James C. Filgate (15 & 20 ) Walter E. Spring (10, 15 & 20 ) James Mark Butler (10, 15 & 20 ) John M. Hackley (15 ) This is the higher, or junior position Albert E. Fischer (15 ) Daniel W. McCallum (15 ) George F. Henlock (10 & 25 ) Charles A. Hall (20 ) James Mark Butler (10, 15 & 20 ) Laurence R. Murray (10 & 20 ) James Mark Butler (10, 15 & 20 ) George T. Tyser & Charles H. Roll (25 ) Joseph L. Heffern (25 ) George F. Henlock (10 & 25 ) Harvey L. Cote (25 ) Notes: J.M.B. initialed at different locations on each of three denominations H.L.C. was responsible for Pl source of the A-T and T-A breaks None of the finishers of the 1925 plates (25 ) worked on the 1928 plates Several siderographers and designers worked on multiple plate numbers

24 1928 RATES PRODUCTION Below are Plate Numbers for all Plates used to Print the 10, 15 & 20 Stamps Four plate numbers were used for each denomination.

25 1928, 1940 & 1955 PRINTINGS PRODUCTION VARIETIES Constant Plate Variety on the 15 Denomination The Layout Dot Flyspeck! Layout Dots are used as a guide in the printing process Discovered in the fall of 2011 at Position UR27, it has been confirmed on the Plate Proof: The Layout Dot variety has been located on both mint and used stamps, on both wet-print paper types. The unique dry print, used, is in a private collection Wet Print, Unused 1940s Wet Print, Used Partial pane at right - the 1940s Green Wet Print, Unused In June, 2014 the Layout Dot variety was discovered on a First Day Cover, probably unique, and thus is shown a used example on the 1928 Special Paper printing. Technical Note: Layout marks, including lines, arcs, and dots, are placed on the plate for the purpose of plotting out the locations of all the subjects. When present, layout dots are likely to be in line with the stamp s frame.

26 1928 RATES - 10 PRODUCTION VARIETIES Production Anomalies Occurring with Special Handling Stamps Production quantities were small, and so were the number of Errors, Freaks and Oddities Only One True Error has been Recorded for this Issue: Bottom Margin Imperforate Horizontally (APEX ) Pre-Perforation Foldover Freaks... Double Paper Variety Pre-Perforation Freak As described in Mekeel s Weekly, 9/9/47. Positions indicated in pencil on reverse at time of separation from full pane: 34, 35, 39 and 40. Sheet misfeeds caused dramatic horizontal misperfs Pair: From the same pane, reverse side. Block of 4: The Double Paper is folded at upper right to show bottom layer. Photo Copy Reconstruction of Two Pieces Black mounts are used on this page only, to reveal perforation varieties Selected Precancel Examples Use of Special Handling was uncommon outside the Continental United States Saipan and Agana may be favor cancels; Puunene for sugar samples Perfin Examples (and pattern designation) Perfins were special precancels used by large companies to discourage postal theft Saipan, CM Agana, Guam Puunene, Hawaii ABLeach, NYC (A46x) DuPont, Old Hickory, TN (D132) GE, Schenectady, NY (G72-1) NCR, Dayton, OH (N53)

27 1928 RATES - 20 COMMERCIAL USE Baby Chicks - Consecutive Shipments of Large Chick Order in Two Parts from Breeder to Grower April 27, 1931 Special Handling Service was Required by Law for the Shipment of Baby Chicks 500 Chicks were shipped in 3 Boxes 2 Boxes of 200 Chicks, and 1 Box of 100 Chicks (100 Chicks in Shipping Box weighs approximately 13 lbs.) The Post Office applied consecutive C.O.D. numbers H98 and H99 on split order Postage Calculation, including C.O.D. money order fee shown on label H98 upper label Petaluma (Zone #5622) to Bellflower (Postal Zone #5181) is 392 miles, a Zone 4 rating Postage of $1.12 paid for a 27 lb. poultry box (200 Chicks) for Zone 4; rates of July 1, 1928 The C.O.D. collection plus indemnity fee charged was 13, net, for the >$10 $50 category C.O.D. Procedure: The post office employee collected $17.55 from the addressee and sold him a $17.43 money order for $17.55, the cost of the item sent C.O.D. plus the $0.12 fee for the money order. This money order was returned to the sender. Ink Blotter Promo for Must Hatch Co. A PEX Special Handling fee: 20 for parcel > 10 lbs. These stamps are from the 1928 printing, the 20 yellow-green shade on special booklet paper see analysis bottom row, this frame. Backstory: The label to the right was used for many years as part of an historical presentation to civic groups, fraternal organizations and club meetings for the city of Petaluma by Bob Dyer, both a long-time resident of the city, and active philatelist. As these presentations ran their course in early 2012, the label became available for this exhibit, uniting H99 with H98 after many years apart. The ink blotter was part of the Must Hatch Incubator Company chick history.

28 1928 RATES - 10 COMMERCIAL USE 10 Stamp Only Pays Part of 15 Fee Balance Paid with 1938 Prexy Stamps Definitives were acceptable and commonly used for Special Handling PERISHABLE LIVE BABY ALLIGATOR Shipped in Cardboard Box on FEB 28, 1940 Canal Point, FL to Anderson, IN is 957 mi., or a Parcel Post Zone 5 destination; 10 Special Handling paid the fee for a parcel 2 lbs. One stamp missing from label, probably a 10 Prexy, and the 1½ Prexy slightly overpaid 11 required, if 1 lb. Alternatively, the missing stamp could have been the 16 Lincoln Prexy, taken by a collector, if parcel was 2 lb. A third, unlikely scenario is possible a 15 Prexy used, with the 1½ Prexy combining to pay the exact postage of 16.3 if the clerk did not properly round up to the full 17 required for a 2 lbs. parcel. Midwest Hemerocallis (Day Lillies) Society had a Slide Film Library May 8, 1948 Slide Selection Mailed from Leonardville, KS to Healdsburg, CA The Only Possible Rating for this 9 lb. Parcel Post Shipment (Zone 6) is 12 : Distance was 1394 miles Zone 6 Library Rate was Independent of Distance Parcel Post Library Rate was 11, plus the 1 War Tax (3 for the 1 st lb., then 1 for each of the next 8 lbs.) Special Handling fee was 15 ; Total Postage Paid was 27 Similar construction corrugated shipping containers with air holes are still employed today for shipping LIVES as these critters are termed by the USPS.

29 1928 RATES - 10 COMMERCIAL USE February 21, 1931 Chicago to Peoria Books, Catalogs and Material for Planting Weighing 8 oz. Rate of April 15, 1925 was 1 per oz., independent of distance CONTENTS CATALOG Printed qualifier at lower left (enlarged). Fourth Class Use for Books & Catalogs 8 oz. Special Handling Fee Added to Expedite Catalogs with Mail Matter of the First Class One Domestic and One International Rating as follows: o Catalog Rate was 1 per oz., just half the 2 First Class rate. o 4 paid the rate for a catalog or book weighing 4 oz. or less o Sender could have shipped his catalog First Class for just 8! Few special handling uses survive with precanceled stamps. No Postal Markings Appear on the Reverse Side of these Pieces Printed Matter and Commercial Papers - Surface Rate to England - The Only International Example Known Special Handling Service Introduced on July 1, 1928 for International Mail To be Dispatched with Letter Mails Rates for Special Handling were same same as Domestic Mail; Printed Matter was at 1½ per 2 oz., as of April 1, 1932

30 1928 RATES - 10 Unusual Commercial Usage Fourth Class, Catalogs (Bound Printed Matter) Under P. L. & R. SEC. 571, PAR. 5 BOUND PRINTED MATTER Plus First Class Enclosure with Special Handling Special Handling Service July 1, 1928 Rate Still in Effect 10 Flat Fee for 2 Lbs. Entire U.S. Cover Details: Mailed December 31, Gross Weight = 8 ½ oz. (Estimated, based on known Enclosures wt. = 7 ½ oz.) Washington, DC to Shenandoah, Iowa Distance = 275 mi. A Zone 3 Destination. Catalog has 48 pages (6 ½ oz. actual) Meets SEC. 571 P. L. & R. PAR 5, 1940 Edition, page 288: 1. Individually Addressed. 2. Catalog/Printed Matter 3. Gross Weight = < 10 lbs. 4. Number of Pages > 24. Rating: P. L. & R. Rate 7 War Surcharge 1 First Class Encl. 3 Special Handling 10

31 1928 RATES - 15 COMMERCIAL USE Scarce Surviving Whole Wrapper Illustrates the 15 Special Handling Rate on an 8 lb. Parcel... with Multiple Special Handling Handstamps: 16 Postage Required to Ship a Parcel 38 Miles to Wareham, Mass (Parcel Post Zone 1). For the Speed of First Class, Sender added 15 Special Handling. October 5, Standard Parcel Post rate effective October 1, 1932 was 8 for 1st lb., and 1.1 for each additional lb. or 15.7, rounded up to 16 for 8 lb. package. Complete intact wrapper (actual size, unfolded, 18 x 15 ). Prexy definitives were commonly used for parcels. The 1 Defense Issue stamp (October 16, 1940) and 5 Chinese Resistance stamps (July 7, 1942) are unusual thus.

32 1928 RATES - 10, 15 & 20 RATE SCHEDULE Special Handling Fee Applied by Weight Category, NOT by Distance Rates Unchanged from July 1, 1928 to January 1, Fee for 2 Lbs.* 15 Fee for >2 Lbs. 10 Lbs. 20 Fee for >10 Lbs. Insert Tags for Film Canisters Weight Varied by Number and Size of 16 mm. Reels All from 1947 Shipments Special Handling: 15 Special Handling: 15 Special Handling: 20 Parcel Post: 50 miles, Zone 1 Parcel Post: 55 miles, Zone 2 Parcel Post: 160 miles, Zone 3 1 st lb. = 8 plus 1.1 ea. for next 6 lbs st lb. = 8 plus 1.1 ea. for next 2 lbs st lb. = 9 plus 2 ea. for next 16 lbs. 41 3% World War II Surcharge, 1 minimum 1 War Surcharge 1 War Surcharge 1 Insurance Minimum ( $5 Indemnity) 3 Minimum ( $5 Indemnity) 3 $50 - $200 Indemnity 25 Combined Service, Fee and Postage Cost: 34 Combined: 30 Combined: 87 ** *Tag for illustration only Actual parcel wt. is 7 lbs. World War II Surcharge Applied (ended December 31, 1948); Library Rates not yet in Effect ** Short paid 1 (probably forgot to collect the war tax) Return postage on reverse is correct at 16 Films were returned without Special Handling There was no Time Urgency Return postage on reverse is correct at 67

33 1928 RATES COMMERCIAL USE Priority Label PREFERRED SERVICE EQUAL TO FIRST CLASS MAIL Undated Label, Postmarked Grand Rapids, Mich., Applied to Package of Periodicals Civilian Censor #11191 Refused Book Intended for Italian POW Internee Under No Condition Should the Package Be Delayed Enclosure Slip U.S. Office of Censorship Form 1710 Clarifies Rationale Properly Franked for Parcel Post Library Rate: 3 ( 1 lb.) plus the 1 War Surcharge of 26 March 1944 Yellow-Green 15 Stamp is Diagnostic for the 1928 Printing, used until 1940, at least Return circular date stamps, July 11, 1944, show Cleveland Collinwood Sta. and Registered marks This label exemplifies the essence of Special Handling as the precursor for modern day Priority Mail. A bundle of periodicals was presented at the Post Office, and postage charged according to weight and distance. The above label was then applied, signifying that postage had been paid, and the appropriate Special Handling stamp affixed, according to the parcel weight in this example, 15 for gross weight more than 2 lbs., but less than 10 lbs. The unit censor placed this slip in the returned parcel. POW internees could only receive books from publishers or booksellers, not private third parties. This is the only example ever seen by the exhibitor. Extensive research has not uncovered the origins of this label.

34 1928 RATES COMMERCIAL USE Public Documents Mailed Third Class with Special Handling July 3, 1943 Special Handling employed to move Free Frank parcel with First Class Matter. Congressional privilege did not include special services; the Representative paid extra. Live Day-Old Chick Label Teaches an Important Principle for Special Handling: Special Handling Fee was Independent of Distance Shipped 20 Special Handling Stamp Paid Fee for Any Parcel >10 lb. up to 70 lbs., to Any Parcel Post Zone! Congressman Hatton William Sumners, , of Dallas, Texas, Fifth District, from Signature confirmed with Texas State Archives Used for mailing a copy of The Congressional Record or similar document Printing Plates Required Special Handling Service to meet Publication Deadlines Precancels were common on Special Handling stamps, but few survive on cover The 20 Special Handling fee was properly applied as shown in the rate table. This parcel weighed 13 lbs. Parcel Post Rates Effective October 1, 1932 to March 25, 1944 Postal Rates by Weight & Zone - 20 Special Handling Example Above Shaded >10 Lbs. Fractions Round Up. Weight Local Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Special Handling Fee: 10 Up to 2 Pounds 1 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Special Handling Fee: 15 Over 2 Pounds Up to 10 Pounds 3 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Special Handling Fee: 20 for 10 Pounds and Over 11 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Advertising plates destined for the Bremer County Independent and Waverly Republican newspapers This label is not tied with a date cancel; however, there is a date penciled on back

35 1933 SPECIAL PRINTING FDR LARGE DIE PROOFS The Postage Stamp Collection of Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sold in February, 1946 including this set, unique in this 1933 color This Proof Set has been in a private collection for over 40 years. Correspondence with the Historical Resource Center, BEP, September, 2013, confirms: 10 Denomination, Die #768, Control No , was pulled on May 25, Denomination, Die #767, Control No , was pulled on May 2, Denomination, Die #766, Control No , was pulled on May 2, Denomination, Die #736, Control No , was pulled on May 2, 1933 These proofs were in FDR s estate, sold at public auction in The 1946 auction consisted solely of FDR s collection. The cover of the 94-page auction catalog, Part 1, shown here, cropped: FDR is quoted: I owe my life to my hobbies, especially stamp collecting. The BEP Control Numbers on reverse, for the 20 & 25 FDR Proofs above, respectively: December 21, 1932

36 1933 SPECIAL PRINTING FDR LARGE DIE PROOFS Special Handling Stamps Were Part of the Political Efforts by BEP Personnel to Protect their Patronage Positions This Proof Set was Pulled for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in early Alvin W. Hall, Director of the BEP from 1924 to 1954, Ordered Proof Sets for the President-Elect Providing these Favor Stamp Collectibles May Have Influenced Job Security The Proof Set included all four denominations for which dies existed: 10, 15, 20 & 25. The FDR Roosevelt proofs were unique, and remain as a legacy of his administration. The BEP control numbers were stamped on reverse - 10 : Control number for the 15 Roosevelt Proof: The corresponding ink color in 1933 was Yellow Green, as in the Farley Century of Progress issue souvenir sheet, issued for the APS show. Century of Progress Sheet issued August 25, 1933

37 1928 vs vs PRINTINGS SPECIAL BOOKLET PAPER Special Handling The Only Stamps Printed on Three Different Paper Types - Special Booklet Paper, Regular Sheet Stamp Paper and Dry Paper All 10, 15 & 20 stamps were printed on Special Booklet Pane paper - Special Handling stamps started up on this paper, a discovery reported in March, 2014 Design Dimension Differences are Apparent: Dry Paper 1955 Sheet at Left - Widest (Emerald Green) Low moisture-content paper, 5-15% High pressure gave sharp design Paper grain is horizontal Frame-to-frame design width = 36.4 mm. Paper was pre-gummed; is thicker & stiff Booklet Paper 1928 Sheet at Right (Muddy Yellow-Green) Ordered for booklet panes Booklet paper leftover w/ move to rotary press Paper grain is horizontal Horizontal grain reduced shrinkage Frame-to-frame design width = 36.3 mm production sufficient for 12 years All 1928 stamps are on Special Paper Regular Paper 1940s Center Sheet (Green) High moisture-content paper, 15-35% Wet paper & vertical grain gave shrinkage Stamps produced every year in small quantities Frame-to-frame design width = mm. Technical note: After the Lindbergh booklets were printed from March 29 to April 10, 1928, production moved to rotary presses. The remaining flat press booklet paper stock was repurposed to select sheet stamps the 5 Beacon airmail, 10 Special Delivery and six of the 4 th Bureaus the 11, 12, 15, 20, 25 & 30 ordinary stamps. Design Right Side Edges Aligned:

38 1949 RATES COMMERCIAL USE On January 1, 1949, Special Handling Rates Increased for the First Time Since 1928 The New Rates were 15, 20 and 25 for the Three Weight Categories Special Handling Used for Business Reply Mail (BRM) Late Commercial Use of 20 Special Handling Stamp Tag Paid with Wet-Print Special Handling, Liberties & Prexies March 5, 1951 December 26, 1956 Fee calculation basis is a count of 39 3 First Class, plus 1 BRM fee for each piece. Special Handling was only August 4, 1955 authorized for Parcel Post at this time. BRM was an internal usage, thus excess inventory used to pay Postage Due fees. $2.38 paid at the Parcel Post rate, October 1, 1953 to January 31, 1960 (using 1c wet-print Liberty issue date of August 26, 1954 for guidance), for a package 32 lbs. from Knight s Landing, CA (precancels) to Kent, WA, a Zone 4 destination, 24 for the first lb., 6.9 for each additional lb. Although dated after October, 1955, this 20 stamp is none-the-less a wet-printed variety. The 20 Special Handling dry-printed variety is not known on cover! Parcel wrapper remnant has five possible rating combinations.

39 1949 and 1957 RATES PRODUCTION and COMMERCIAL USE On July 1, 1957, Special Handling Rates Increased to 25, 35 & 50 for the Three Weight Categories All Higher than the Highest Denomination In October, 1955, Stamps were Printed on Dry Paper Late In-Period Uses Stamps Approaching Withdrawal 1928 Special Paper (Top) Regular Paper (Middle) Dry Paper (Bottom) December 13, Wet Print Stamp Higher Denomination not Available to pay the 25 Minimum Fee The Following Rating is the Only Possible Combination for the Date and Postage Paid: $2.19 Total paid the 25 Special Handling, 30 Insurance Fee and $1.64 Postage for a 43 Lb. Parcel to Zone 3. These Special Handling stamps and $1 Liberty are all wet-print variety, determined by design measurements. Tag is an early example in the July 1, 1957 rate period. 1940s Green Color Shade of Wet-Print Commonly Mistaken for Dry-Print One of five recorded covers with a Liberty stamp; this is the only dollar value reported.

40 1949 and 1957 RATES PRODUCTION and COMMERCIAL USE End of an Era The Stamp Period Ended in 1959 SPECIAL HANDLING NOT JUST FOUR STAMPS! SPECIALTIES and CLOSING COMMENTARY 1925 First Printing and Major Varieties First Issue April 11, 1925 A-T Combined in STATES A-T + Broken T in STATES 10 Dry-Print EDU February 26, 1958 This stamp is one of only six reported used copies. APEX Deep Green 18,072,600 Deep Green 767,550 Deep Green 2,034, First Printing and Major Varieties (Continued) 1928 Second Printing A-T + T-A in POSTAGE Combined Dot on the T in STATES Variety Second Printing January 14, Dry Print Stamp on Cover Discovery and Only Recorded Copy This Air Force stamp FDC constitutes the EDU for the 15 dry-print, August 1, 1957 Deep Green 107,120 Deep Green 17,850 Yellow-Green 2,800, : New Lower Rates Introduced First Day of Issue June 25, 1928 Rates Put into Effect on July 1, 1928 All Stamps Wet-Printed APEX Yellow-Green 26,012,750 Yellow-Green 20,852,000 Yellow-Green 15,712, : Lower Denomination Reprintings Reprintings 1940 to 1955 (18 Runs) No Printings Between 1928 and 1940 All Stamps Still Wet-Printed Green 9,879,550 Green 9,738,650 Green 9,104, : Experimental Dry Printings Dry Printing began September 19, No First Day Issue. Earliest Documented Use is February 26, 1958 (10 ) 10 & 20 Dry Print Stamps are NOT KNOWN on Cover! October 24, 1957 Special Handling stamps withdrawn from post offices. September 11, 1959 Special Handling stamps removed from the Philatelic Sales Agency. Emerald-Green 695,000 Emerald-Green 860,000 Emerald-Green 695,000 P SE P SE P SE One of Six Known One of Three Known DISCOVERY COPY MAY, 2012 The Stamps are Gone But the Service Continues!