2 Cent Postage Due Sheet Precancel?

Hello Everyone,

I came across these stamps but couldn't find a precancelled sheet like the one on the left, after doing a google image search. Please help me identify if what I'm seeing is a precancel and if not what it is. Thanks, Jon

None of these are precancels. The sheet on the left is cancelled as a receipt, probably for business reply mail. The sheet on the right seems to be mint. Hard to tell because of the bad picture.

Peter

Actually it is a form of pre-cancellation. Many times clerks would cancel postage due sheets before applying them to letters / envelopes to save time. You will see many postage dues on cover but not tied to the cover yet they are cancelled.

Tell me again why postage due stamps have to be cancelled.

I don't believe they are required to be cancelled.

Here is a letter with the postage due tied to the cover








And one that had a previously cancelled postage due applied to the cover.

The bottom of the bottom stamp looks like the cancellation touches the envelope

I don't think it's required to be cancelled once affixed to cover. I assume the cancelling of the full panes is just to help the clerk keep track for accounting purposes, and as a receipt as Peter pointed out.

I agree, the bottom ½¢ postage due does appear to be tied to cover.

I find the prices labeled on those panes in the OP rather astonishing, but maybe they aren't in US$. Assuming it's mint, 2¢ pane at right is the common shiny gum variety. This is stuff that I used to find in dealer FV bins at shows. Hopefully the seller is not really asking for US$50!