Difference Between Gainesville Precancel Types?

Can anyone help me separate type 734 and type 813 from Gainesville, FL?

I see in the catalog that the 734 has more space between the lines, but it only varies by a mm, and with poor printing ....

I seem to have some that are sharper and some that are fuzzier. Would that be a help in differentiating?

Some pics. First, a few that are probably fuzzier. Second, probably sharper. Finally, one that is totally indeterminate.

I don't know if this helps any, but Type 734 were metal devices (and as such, were not subject to degradation as the vinyl handstamps were). OTOH, Type 813 was a vinyl handstamp and imprint variations because of it are quite common.

I'm no expert at this, but look at examples #1 and #3 on the second scan. The "F" in "Fla." is aligned almost perfectly below the "N" in "Gainesville". That would indicate to me a metal device (Type 734). Possibly the last scan is a metal device, too, given the position of the lettering.

Since the other examples have the "F" in "Fla." positioned between the "NE" in "Gainesville", it would be reasonable to identify the remaining examples as being from a vinyl device (Type 813).

Of course, some of our experts here can correct me if I'm wrong.

I find these 2 types the toughest to tell apart. Thankfully, I don't recall a case where one is scarce and the other common - so it doesn't make much difference.
My guess: all the pre-1954 stamps you show are 734, the others 813.

Well, there you go! JanS, all of your stamps are pre 1954 with the possible exception of the "indeterminate" one.

Peter

Thanks everyone.

chasa: a more general question. Is there a list somewhere of what year or date or decade certain Types were first and/or last used? It seems if one had something like that, it would make at least some of the Types easier to determine.

Also, part of my issue with these is that in my mind, a metal device would be sharper than a vinyl. Yet, the Liberty stamps seem in general to be sharp. So is this a preconception that I just need to junk?

Thanks again.

Most precancels [maybe 85%] have an "authorization date". They would not be used before that date, but of course old stamps predating the authorization could be used. The last date used is impossible to define. It is quite simply a mess. Where the dates can be useful are on integral dated precancels and the PSS Town & Tyoe catalog has been getting better in listing what dates were used on what L-types. To my eye, metallic is more stiff, but often cracked, vinyl more spongy looking. Sometimes we guess.

Thank you, Chasa. I have an extensive collection of the Transportation issues and several of these have been precancelled by the BEP. The mats that were used for the overprinting of the stamps cracked a lot, creating mostly additional gaps, but also missing letters, dots and dashes. What were these mats made of?

Peter

There isn't any real "last used". I used to go to small post offices all of the time and have them drag out old devices.
I would actually mail a club newsletter with them under precancel permit. What was sad for me is how many of those stamps were actually soaked off,
removing the cover value and all of my work. I have had 3 piles of my precancel mailing stamps come back to "sell". In 2007 all devices were ordered destroyed, so I haven't even looked for any. I hope that a few survive.
I also noticed the shift in state position, which would be extremely helpful in this case of splitting out the two Gainesville items. It was very consistent.