Grand Rapids, Michigan Precancel Type 247 Variety?

At first glance, I was going to chalk both of these up to being a Type 247 DLE. But as you can see, there is a distinct difference in length between the bars and the first line:



According to my measurements, the 5 cent stamp is 14 mm between bars and 4 mm between bar and city; the postage due is 13.5 mm between bars and 3.5 mm between bar and city. Is this a variety or is it within tolerances for the Type 247?

This is a well known variety. On the fifth row, the spacing is 14mm between inner lines. Normal spacing is 11.5 mm. So the narrow variety is 10 times scarcer than normal. The DLE's are very popular, some scarce some common.

Thanks. Good to know about that variety. All I did know is that they matched the Type 247.

my typo: normal is 14.5 mm

Upon re-checking, I agree that the bars on the 5-cent stamp shown is 14.5 mm. However, on the 3-cent postage due, the stamp is 14.0 mm, which can be readily seen in the scan. Does this represent another minor variety?

Here are two other entirely different stamps showing the 14.0 mm and 14.5 mm variance. Interesting that they are all on postage dues:

No, the nominal measurements are 14.5=normal, 14.0=error. The difference is always such that the lines are one 'quantum' narrower as shown nicely on your scans. When I check these I never use a MM gauge - simply compare with a known example and see if the lines are mismatched. I collect narrow and normal, the 3cent dues catalog 0.20 normal or inverted, I don't own either with narrow spacing.

Thanks again. There are just so many varieties within types of precancels that I'm glad to have you on SCF to help me out!