Nebraska Precancel Questions

I suspect the first stamp shown below is not a precancel but a box cancel. Am I right?

As for the second stamp, I note that it is a higher value Prexie that was one of the last ones issued in the series on 12/08/1938. I was wondering if anyone knew why these stamps weren't dated, as I had thought dated precancels were required on stamps issued by the end of that year.



Any comments would be helpful.

Thanks.

Looks like a precancel to me (Grant, NE). That is not a very qualified statement, but my gut instinct is strong on this one.

Unless this is unlisted, the only listed device for Grant, NE is a "Narrow Hand Electro with Lines" #729 which have narrow 2.5mm block caps. This may very well be a box cancel.

Frankie

I think it is a box cancel.

Thanks. I figured the Grant, NE must be a non-precancel as I, too, found only the #729 as the only listed precancel type for that community.

Looks like I should not be relying on my gut instinct. At least when it comes to precancels.

Don't worry about it Smauggie, we all may be wrong from time to time...that's what makes SCF so interesting.

The only resource I have for precancels is that I have downloaded (not printed) all of the "free" precancel TnT album pages and try to use it as a resource, as it helps me narrow down all possible precancels types that might have been used for a particular city.

It's not foolproof by any means, but it sure helps to narrow down the possible choices.