Dolgeville, NY - Is This Listed Incorrectly?

The catalog list this precancel as a 577, but when compared side by side, this looks more like a 573. The letters on this precancel are not extra-condensed as the example of the 577 shows and describes.

Incorrectly listed or a new listing?

Frankie

Thanks for bringing this up. I'd be interested to know if anyone provides a response to your question as well.

I also have a Dolgeville, NY precancel that appears the same as yours but on a different denomination. Although my example is damaged, it looks to be the same precancel, it's just a matter of confirming what the correct precancel type is (I had it listed as a Type 577):

Here are some other NY towns - it is impossible to predict which are 573 and which are 577 (to me anyhow!) I have sent this list to the catalog editors and I'll let you know the verdict. Another provocative discussion - thanks!

I would label the first 3 as 577 and the Dolgeville and Wellsville as 573. I would think that the powers that control and edit the catalog should be more specific when describing the differences between condensed and extra condensed. From my observations the round letters such as O, D, G and S have straight parallel sides with the extra condensed version (577) whereas the sides are rounded on the 573.

Frankie

Here is a transcript of emails I had with Bill Cummings who knows 10 times as much as I do. It explain why the items are catalogged like they are.

Bill -

Thanks very much for the explanation!
I see my problem, when the description says 'condensed' or 'extra-condensed' font it is referring to the individual letters, not the spacing of the letters making up the city.
This is logical, but can be misleading for a novice. Another sentence on page one of the style-chart introduction describing that aspect of the 'condensed' concept would be helpful.

CharlieA


From: Bill Cummings
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 7:46 PM
To: Charles Adrion
Subject: Re: PSS 573 or 577 - using NY cities as an example.

As you say, inking can be a problem here. The best clue is the letter "N". On the three 577s it is noticeably narrower than on the Flushing and Wellsville. Jim Howe could have told you the letter counts that would have led the manufacturer to select the condensed (573) font or the extra-condensed font (577). He actually had an exhibit with these explained. Haven't seen it for 40 or more years! Unhappily the stamps had been removed when I last saw it.

Bill

From: Charles Adrion
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 4:30 PM
To: phil cayford ; bill cummings ; arnold selengut
Subject: PSS 573 or 577 - using NY cities as an example.

On an online chat forum, I was asked why Dolgeville NY is a PSS-577 when it looks like a PSS-573 to us.
I scanned some other NY examples and it is certainly confusing to me.

On these I would say the Northport NY is an archtypical 577
The Wellesville NY is an archtypical 573

Flushing NY 573 could be 577
Dobbs Ferry is almost 573'ish as Dolgeville
Dolgeville looks 573

I know a lot of variety can be explained away by inking differences, but – do they all look properly identified?

CharlieA

once again - you can learn here at SCF!!