US Machine Cancel Excitement - An Early Leavitt (1877)

I was browsing through cover lots on an auction website we love to hate, and I saw this poking out from behind two other rather normal machine cancels.



I knew it was an early machine cancel because I religiously studied this exhibit many times in the past:
http://machinecancel.org/exhibits/b...on_part1.pdf

Here is a detail of the cancel, dated September 5, 1877 at 5 PM



Based on the exhibit I am having a hard time figuring out which type it might be, or is it a type of its own. This postcard was being mailed by Thomas Proctor who on the reverse of the card advertises his high-quality leather for use on polishing wheels. This example was sent to Sharps Rifle Company who had just moved their headquarters the year before to Bridgeport, CT.

The third type listed in the exhibit says it was used for bulk mailing, and it certain seems to be what Mr. Proctor was doing, early corporate junk mail. It makes one wonder if he numbered each card he sent out.

I find it hilarious that it was once priced in pencil at 40 cents. You can be sure I paid more, but still feel this might be the find of the year.

Some info about Mr. Proctor - http://www.houseofproctor.org/genea...408&tree=hop

I will post a scan of the reverse this weekend.

Nice card. However, I find it curious that the time is printed in a typeface with serifs, the remainder of the postmark is not.

I hadn't noticed that before. Looking at the covers in the exhibit I linked they are all like that, sans serif except for the time.