C3 Precancel? Block Question.

Hi all. Brand new to philately here, just started collecting. Been into coins for 20 years, but got bitten by the stamp bug. Grabbed what looks like a nice starter collection from ebay. It has what I think is a pre-cancel? If it is a precancel, why would someone precancel airmail? Isn't pre-cancel a form of bulk mail back in the day? I also believe it was used, since there's no gum on the reverse. What do all think, Precancel or regular? Thanks RxMan -john

precancel....yes.

Double strike on left single strike on right!

You could buy stamps at the window and then ask the clerk to precancel them for you. This was a common pratice with precancel collectors.

Precancels were used on lots of packages during this era. Remember, at the time, the USPO had a monopoly on delivering stuff. No fedex, no UPS, and everything needed stamps, no high value meters.
Many towns used c1-c6 precancels. That said, these look like forgeries - done a long time ago. I will send the scan around to some experts for opinions. Thanks for showing - it is an interesting piece.

To what end? This is a very common precancel and the bottom two stamps are nicely centered with no apparent flaws. One would have to assume the "forger" precanceled unused stamps in order to create really ugly cancellations that take value away from a decent block.

I simply don't believe that is the case.

These stamps are authentically precanceled.

Brian

I 100% agree with Brian.

I sent the scan to Mike Gutman, PSS State Editor for Mass. He thought it looked OK, so I stand corrected. The precancel is known on C3, up, down, double down, and triple down.

Thanks everyone who looked and especially to those who responded. I'm really enjoying learning the ropes about philately. Currently the "back of book" interest me the most. Especially air mail, Parcel Post and Special Delivery issues. Looks like I'll have YEARS ahead of me learning as much as I want.
Glad to hear it's not a forgery. That would have been an interesting first transaction. I assume that in stamps, as in coins, older forgeries are somewhat collectable, if presented as what they really are, as opposed to passing them off. After the fast responses, looks like I found a good online community to join. Thanks again - John

Welcome to SCF, John, and great start to your collection!

Along these same lines, I present to you a picture of my precanceled C1 block of 4 with original gum (never used). Stop by any time!

Brian

Nice one Brian, thanks for posting. What town was that from in NJ?

Weehawken, New Jersey - just across the Hudson river from New York City.

Looks like Weehawken

Weehawken, New Jersey: PSS Type 463 precancel.

Lived in NJ for 14 years, but have never been to Weehawken yet.

Right across the river from midtown Manhattan.