First Time I Have Received These Types Of Stamps On An Envelope.

I have never received fractional amount stamps before but these were on an envelope I received today. The ambulance ones were pre-canceled ones as well.

Also this ink stamp was on the envelope. Which makes me wonder this, do you need a permit or authorization to use pre-canceled stamps.

Yes you can use the precancelled postage if you have a permit. You also have to put your permit info on the envelope. You have a piece of postal history.

The USA started with 1/2 and 1 & 1/2 cent stamps for decades for use related to third class. In 1938 a 4&1/2 cent stamp was issues. Those values continue and a 1&1/4 cent was added in the Liberty Series. in the late 1970's the decimal stamps X.y cents were issued and we moved away from the fractional stamps. These decimal stamp also met certain non-regular first class mailing rates for the Americana and Transportation coil series. When they have a mention of a service, such as "bulk rate" or "non-profit" that is the rate for which the stamp was issued and to which the use of the stamp is now restricted.

Such fractional and decimal rates can be found on Postal Stationary issued by the Post Office as well, but not as many values as with the stamps.

What kind of a package were these stamps used on, I might ask? Bulk rate seems to have been called for.

===What kind of a package were these stamps used on, I might ask===


First Class Mail, and the amount on the cover has to be correct for the period.
Anyone can apply for a collector's permit at the post office, ask for PS form 3615
For info go to www.pnc3.org , click on the 'reference' button and go to 'precancel permit'. It does not cost a thing.


Peter

I have been looking on ebay daily for last 5 or 6 years trying to find a plate block or sheet of Purple Heart Scott 3784A, plate # P6666 with no success. I have been able to collect P1111, P2222, P3333, P4444, P5555,
and P7777 but not P6666.

Does anyone know why this plate # is so hard to find?

Interesting info and I love the Transportation coil series from the 1980's and early 1990's form which these precanceled stamps come. Although they aren't rare I do agree that what you have is uncommon and something desirable by collectors BOTH for the precancel authorization AND use of Transportation Coil stamps. I had kept a few from an old stamp collection of my deceased brother.

Just thought I would add this piece that has multiple coils dated 1995. Are these strange bedfellows or would you expect to see this pairing and use?