1916, 1¢ Green, Mail-O-Meter Type IV Perfs (Scott 481), "Saint Louis"

Hi,

Need some advise on the enclosed mail-o-meter type IV perfs. Is this a rare stamp to find?

Welcome your advise and comments.

Nelson

#481 w/Mail-O-Meter T-IV perfs. is probably scarce. Don't know if there is a census on it, but Dr. S. Richard Prothero reports finding only six examples (as of a June 2009 article), with five of them bearing the St. Louis precancel. check closely for a single-line watermark to be sure it is not a #408. Single-line watermarks are difficult to distinguish and in some cases only a vey small portion may show. The APS data base has four certified examples, all w/the St. Louis precancel.

Belasco never did buy into the 481 with Mailometer perfs despite Prothero's insistence.

Not sure why, inasmuch as he recognized 482s, and they would have the same watermark detection problems as a 481.

A pair of stamps would be more definitive than a single. Too easy for a single line watermark to hide on a single stamp. The APS and Scott's now recognize the unwatermarked varieties but I think a cert is in order before you look for high $$$.

Does anyone know if a #481 w/T-IV on cover has yet been discovered and certified? I've this cover, dated in 1918 which makes it a possibility of being a #481 but its probably a #408. I've not
lifted it to check the WM. May eventually send it in to see what it is.

I'm not aware of one. However this being a Philatelic cover, it is most likely a #408. Stanley Gibbons was not known to have a Schermack Mailing machine so this stamp was hand affixed and most likely from some of their stock.