Philadelphia, PA Wab Aug '39 Dated Precancel Type

Found this among some Philadelphia precancels. As for the date, it looks to be Type C-4 (3 mm for both date and initials). The initials look to be L.A.B. Looking for the following info.:

1. Can anyone identify "L.A.B."?

2. What precancel type would this be?

Thanks.

You have L-31 IHS. That's W.A.B. for W. A. Burpee (Seed Company) - not L.A.B.

Frankie

Thanks. W.A.B. makes more sense. I'm also glad to know that it's Type L-31 IHS, as I don't have anything to guide me through the L-Type precancels (except for SCF members assistance)!

(Note: I changed the topic title for future reference.)

A little more detail, the user was W. Atlee Burpee Co (seeds) they used this form of precancel from 1938-47. This is an L-31 with a C22 overprints. What I fined interesting is that the Handbook states Co. overprint should be "WAB" not "W.A.B" as it seems to show.

Thanks. I'm a little confused on the handstamp control reference, though.

You indicate a C22 overprint, yet according to your previous post on handstamp controls, the C22 is for "initials shorter than date" (2 mm and 2.5 mm). In this case, I believe both the initials and date are the same height, and I have measured them and it seems as though they are 3 mm high, which is why I thought it would be a C4 type.

Am I missing something here?

What you are missing is the fact that much of this is information has not been touched or reviewed for nearly 30 years. I agree it does not seem to be different heights, but in this case the only listed option is a C22 as stated. This needs thorough studying.
Is it really a WAB or an unrecorded LAB or something else, with the sloppy overprint I would not guarantee what it is.

Update this is a L-31 IHS is where the town, co. & date are applied by the same device. That is why it is not listed in Handbook.

Thanks for the update.

This must be another example of the same precancel on a different stamp. I guess the initials W.A.B. (with periods) did have common use by that company.