Dated Precancels

Does hand-stamped date increase or decrease their initial values?

A lot depends on what they are.

Most of what you have scanned appear to be dated precancels with "SRC", which is an abbreviation for Sears, Roebuck & Company, one of the most prolific users of precancels during that period. Furthermore, Philadelphia was one of the most common locations where these precancels were used. (Another common one is "MW" for Montgomery Ward, similiarly very common.)

There are elusive ones out there, however, along with certain typefaces and dates that make some of these dated precancels a challenge to find. However, as it relates to value, most of the "SRC" and "MW" examples are very common and of little monetary value. For a collection, however, they make for an interesting sideline. For more information, I suggest you read this article on the Precancel Stamp Society website:

http://www.precancels.com/US/srcbasics.htm

Thanks, wt1!

I read it, but probably not much smarter than before... it is so much knowledge about all this aspects of philately, so, I am afraid that 100 lives for me wouldn't be enough to learn all of that stuff...

The F-N Sept. '39 is from Fels Naptha Soap Co. Philadelphia using a C-3 from 1938-41.

The Chicago one is GMC April '42,General Motors Corp. should be an C-4 used from 1939-51, they also used a C-3 in 1941, GM Typerwiter 1941-44 & GM C-3 in 1938-46.

The short, concise answer to the original question is that handstamp dates REDUCE the value in literally 998 out of 1000 cases. In 992 out of 1000 cases it reduces the value from negligible to less-than-negligible. They are fun to collect - but value rarely enters the conversation. Most collectors of bureau precancels shun handstamp dates.

Warrehouse, thank you for the very nice expertize, and Chasa, thank you for the short and concise answer!

Well just the fact that I, personally, would pay to own them says that they do in fact have some value. I would scoff at the notion that a sound stamp is said to be of negligible value especially if it was shown some individual attention and has a back-story to it. Moral of the story [for me] is: Don't believe everything you read as something is really only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and people like me love them so it just stands to reason that they do indeed have value. I know I'm not alone on this topic.
I also want it known that I mean absolutely no disrespect as some of you are just brilliantly knowledgeable about this hobby and I'm never ever disappointed by the sheer amount of technical information about things I've never heard of on here and for that I thank you! ~Jay

I also had a very rough morning..surgery looming...

I hope your procedure goes easy I-L-S. When discussing things online, it is easy to mis-speak inadvertantly and cause bad feelings, for this I apologize. By negligible, I meant readily available for less than a quarter. I collect these myself. I recently bought a collection of about 900 dated's and enjoyed checklisting and putting them in my albums. I agree they have a back-story that fascinates. No disrespect intended - best collecting regards, ChasA

Gents, thanks for your insight on this subject. I know very little about US precancels and appreciate your help in expanding my knowledge.