Unknown Precancel Not In Cats

I have 2 stamps, both 1214 Pershings that are precanceled. I don't find them in either the Buro or the type in the newest T&T cat(s). The precancel buro app has no 1214's whatsoever either. To the lazy eye they are 71's, same exact type etc as a 1058-71 for example, however they differ slightly. The 1214's are 12mm vs 12.5 across "SAINT PAUL", same 6mm across "MINN."(note the period is there too) and the gap between the bottom of "SAINT PAUL" & top of "MINN." is 2.25mm vs 2mm. The gap between the 2 horizontal lines, inside to inside is 10.5mm vs 9.5. Those differences tell me they are not your normal documented 71's. Very close to what a 1058-71 is (example) but no cigar. These are also crystal clear, not blurred in any manner so measurements are easily taken.

My sense is that these are two stamps fairly recently done on an unknown device. When I was a PSS member that I was very vocal about these "modern courtesy" local precancels getting mixed up with true precancels in the near future, and I suspect that's the case here. Unless of course someone else has discovered an unknown 1214 precancel that may show in the next set of precancel cat(s) when available.

What's odd though is that I also have another 1214 precancel, but from "CHICAGO, ILL." instead, same line gap measurement between the horizontal lines as the "SAINT PAUL" ones (10.5mm), however this one is also a dated "SRC" however the date can't be seen as it's on the same line as "CHICAGO" & one overlays the other. The SRC is the same normal font etc and sits to the left of the city name as opposed to above or whatever. A clever SRC ruse perhaps...? And just a few minutes ago I found another one(not SRC etc), Minneapolis, MN, same spacing between the horizontal lines as the others, same font, caps, period after "MINN" etc.

Is the PSS or anyone else aware of any 1214 Pershing precancels (buro's vs locals)? Do you think they are likely recent local precancels (as I do) or did I perhaps discover an unknown type(unlikely, but hey, even monkeys fall from trees)??? I'd scan them but doubt it would be of use really so the only way to verify the measurements would be to send them to someone more learned than I to verify. FWIW, I just sent an email to Michael Hynes @ the PSS for his opinion too.

The Pershing 8 cent was once Scott 1042, but was changed to 1214 a few years back when research proved it should have been in the 1963 mini-series. Perhaps you might find something there.

On the other hand, there is nothing which states which stamps are precanceled in the T&T catalog. It only gives the types for the cities. There is sometimes a considerable variance in the spacing in these precancels as well, so the measurements you gave are within tolerances.

Hope this helps.

Got it, thx. I was totally unaware that Scott had changed the number, that's why I couldn't find the new one in the PSS cats and their precancel application.