Is This New York Precancel Unusual?

I have about 50 precancels, all seem to be pretty ordinary. This one is the only one that's "not like the rest".
Is it unusual out there in the world? Or just in my collection?

Not unusual at all. In fact, it's quite common. Here are two from my collection. Notice the subtle differences in spacing between the examples most noticeable in the spacing between the third line "N.Y.":



Getting back to your example, it looks as if the precancel overprint was misaligned so that you have two bars showing below the State name on a single stamp. Obviously, the correct configuration should show a bar above and another below the City and State name.

thanks wt1! I appreciate the input.
As you can tell, I am no kind of expert, but as I sort through this old collection, I am learning!
This community has been very helpful.

The precancel device was made to align with the normal definitive which is slightly taller than wide. The stamps that reverse that required applying the precancel sideways. From memory (which sometimes strays) precancel devices could be for 1, 10, 20, or 100. I am sure of the 1 and the 100.

Most precancel devices were 10, 25 or 100 subject. The newer vinyl types are all 10 [2x5].
Many of the old single-subject handstamp 'precancels' were kicked out of the catalog and no longer listed, so 1 or 20 would be very uncommon.

Ok, I'm a little bit lost. When you say the precancel devices could be for 1, 10, 20, etc; to what are you referring? 1 or 10 what's? :)
I'd like to look at how a precancel device works so I can understand how New York got outside the lines! Research time!

New York isn't actually outside the lines. There was a shift, so that the top line is off the top of the stamp. The bottom line on your stamp should have been the top line on the stamp below.

This website may help to explain the precancel devices for you:

http://www.precancels.com/rubber-ha...ncel-styles/

Aha! This clears it up! Thanks all!