Mailometer Type 1A Vending Perfs Orgin

I purchased a couple stamps that measure perfectly for Mailometer Type 1A Vending stamps. Using Belasco's book as reference, I see that the origin of these stamps is in question. He states they could be legitimate vending coils made by the Mailometer company, but could also be altered stamps made to resemble type 1 for profit. Does anyone have any additional information on the validity of this type?

It is my belief that the stamps purchased as "request items" for dealers and collectors were handled through Detroit, not from St. Louis. There was a very slight variation between the 2 dies.


I wouldn't go so far as to say, that is what you are seeing on the Mailometer type II. I believe they were all produced in Detroit from the same die.

John seems to be suggesting the most likely scenario. If you can't resolve the measurement discrepancy, it would not get a clean cert.