What Is An E Rated "Received" Backstamp?

While searching for York, Pa postmarks I came across this backstamped "Received" cover on bidstart. The title says it is "scarce" with an "E" rating. I have been searching all over the internet to identify it as "scarce" as well as the "E" rating but with no luck. I am not trying to get others to do my searching for me; I just don't know where to look next.

Does anyone have any info on "E" rating? Is it genuinely scarce?

The camcel was from an American Stodard machine model B27 and is type E. My database does not indicate that it is rare.

Edit: spelling

I have never seen one before myself. But I am still a neophyte.

Thanks Russ. In that case I will let this one pass. I am assuming you mean that it is not a high value cancel. I like to have it but not but not for $15.

That cancel was used from 1896-1900.

Yes, your York, PA cancel has an "E" rating which indicates that the cancel is "very scarce" and is valued from $10 to $20.00.

In 1991 Reg Morris and Robert J. Payne authored a 73 page study entitled:

American Service Markings
The Machine Cancel Society Specialized Study No. 10

The Service Markings attributed to the American Postal Machine Co. 1890 - 1918

Your cancel is listed as AMS-27. There were 2 different dials used. One was larger then the other - yours appears to be the larger variety. Booth have the same value. The dates of use are as Russ stated. The book is still available from the Machine Cancel Society. A google search will lead you to the Society.

As for value I think that ebay has brought many covers on to the market and may have actually lowered prices. Since I aggressively collect AMS Service markings I would pay $15.00 if I did not already have several examples.

Good luck with your work in Guatemala.

Bert

Thanks Bert, that is wonderful information. So $15 is in the ballpark. That is causing me to rethink letting it pass but with my limited budget I still may choose a different York postmark that I am also currently considering.

I assume you somehow noticed that I am probably not Guatemalan and only working here. You are correct; I am from York, PA which is why I look for postmarks and covers from there. My kids, however, both gringos by blood, are in fact Guatemalans due to having been born here. They are also US citizens but prefer to be known as Guatemalans.

And welcome to SCF Your knowledge has potential to help a lot of collectors.

BertA are you the seller?

No - I tried to post a response five or six times and do not wish to retype my reply yet again. It will be a long time before I try again.

Bert

Bert.. Your reply came through in your explanation.

Bert, I was frustrated a number of times with posts and replies when I first joined the forum but as one becomes more familiar with the site, those frustrations become less and less and soon disappear.