by Michael Hynes

Like anything else, getting started in a new collecting field always seems daunting. The field of Precanceled Envelopes may look to be very complicated but actually is very simple after you learn the four different identifying characteristics. They are the type of precancel, the die type, the envelope style, and the watermark.

Type of Precancel

Several things need to be noted to identify the precancel type on an envelope. Each of these add up to form the type.

Type of Printing:

1 – Large serifed capital letters
2 – Small serifed capital letters
3 – Small san-serifed capital letters

State Name Designation:

a – Abbreviated state name
b – Unabbreviated state name

Code number used for the Proper P.L & R. phrase:

1. (Sec. 435 1/2 P.L. & R.)
2. (Sec. 562 P.L. & R.)
3. (Sec. 34.66 P.L. & R.)
4. (Sec. 34.65(3) P.L. & R.)
5. (39 C.F.R., 34.65(e)
6. (39 C.F.R., 34.66)
7. (Non-Profit Organization)
8. (Bulk Rate)

With the above identified, you will end up with a number, letter, number combination, i.e. 1a1, 1b2, 1b2, 3a3, 3a7, etc. Here are some examples:

Type 1a1

Type 1a2

Type 2a1

Type 2a2

Type 3a2

Type 3a3

Type 3a4

Type 3a5

Type 3a6

Type 3a7

Type 3a8

 

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Type of Die

Nine different dies have been used on precanceled envelopes. They are typically identified as the following:

Die	Description	Example
A	1 cent, Circular Die A of 1916-50. Round “C” of “CENT”
E	1 cent, Circular Die C of 1916-50. Rectangular “C” of “CENT”
O	1 cent, Green Oval die of 1950
X	1 1/2 cent, Brown Oval die of 1950
1A	1 1/4 cent, Die A, Turquoise Oval die of 1960. Thin left leaves.
1B	1 1/4 cent, Die A, Turquoise Oval die of 1960. Fat left leaves.
2C	2 cent, Die C, Red Oval of 1950	Sorry, No Picture. Similar to 2D.
2D	2 cent, Die D, Red Oval of 1950
2+	2 1/2, cent Blue Oval of 1960

Envelope Size, Color, Knife, Gum, and Window

Envelope Size:

Government issued precanceled envelopes only came in 4 sizes:

• Size 5 89 mm x 160 mm
• Size 6 3/4 92 mm x 165 mm
• Size 8 (10) 105 mm x 241 mm
• Size 13 98 mm x 171 mm

Envelope Color:

Until December 12, 1943 precanceled envelopes where made in 3 colors: White, Amber, and Blue. After that date, all were White.

Window Envelopes:

Precanceled envelopes have been issued with a glassine window in the face, so that an address printed on the enclosure can be read through the window. These envelopes were typically un-gummed and low-back types. After December 31, 1949, window precanceled envelopes were discontinued.

Envelope Gum and Knife:

The earliest government precanceled envelopes were issued with a gummed flap. Beginning in January 1930 all were issued un-gummed. The knife refers to how the envelope was cut in it’s manufacture. For precanceled envelopes only two varieties exist: high-back and low-back.

High-back: the underfold of the envelope extends nearly to the top of the back of the envelope.

Low-back: the underfold extends but little more than half way up the back of the envelope.

Using all of the above characteristics, collectors have put together a system to describe each envelope. This code is used instead of the more widely known Thorp system, since precanceled envelope collectors began collecting them without knowledge of the Thorp system. The system first devised by D.D. Berolzheimer is shown below:

No.	Color	With Gum		No.	Color	No Gum		No.	Color	Window/No Gum
1	White	Low Back		7	White	Low Back		13	White	Low Back
2	Amber	Low Back		8	Amber	Low Back		14	Amber	Low Back
3	Blue	Low Back		9	Blue	Low Back		15	Blue	Low Back
4	White	High Back		10	White	High Back		16	White	High Back
5	Amber	High Back		11	Amber	High Back		17	Amber	High Back
6	Blue	High Back		12	Blue	High Back		18	Blue	High Back

 Size 5 (89mm x 160mm)

No.	Color	With Gum		No.	Color	No Gum		No.	Color	Window/No Gum
21	White	Low Back		27	White	Low Back		33	White	Low Back
22	Amber	Low Back		28	Amber	Low Back		34	Amber	Low Back
23	Blue	Low Back		29	Blue	Low Back		35	Blue	Low Back
24	White	High Back		30	White	High Back		36	White	High Back
25	Amber	High Back		31	Amber	High Back		37	Amber	High Back
26	Blue	High Back		32	Blue	High Back		38	Blue	High Back

 Size 8 (105mm x 241mm)

Type of Watermark

Watermarks were used to identify the envelope contract used in the manufacture of the envelope. To find the watermark, just hold the envelope up to a very bright light opening the flap, with the back towards the lamp. Here are all of the watermarks used in Bureau Precanceled envelopes:

Putting it all together:

Precanceled envelopes are described in the following manner, best described with an example:

1a1  E   30 30a
(a)   (b)  (c) (d)

(a) Precancel Type In this case it is a Type 1 with state name abbreviated and Sec. 435 1/2 P.L. & R. legend.

(b) Envelope Die In this case it is the 1c circular Die E.

(c) Envelope Designation This is obtained from the envelope numbering system indicated above. In this case 30 stands for size 8, white paper, high back with un-gummed flap.

(d) Watermark The 30a indicates a 1929 watermark with date at bottom and altered as shown on the watermark chart.

Bibliography:

1. Precanceled Envelopes of the United States, 3rd Edition, 2003 by David W. Smith, Published by the Precancel Stamp Society.
2. A Guide to Precanceled Stamped Envelopes, 1956, by Gilbert W. Noble.

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Current catalog available from PSS lists and prices every precanceled US envelope. 
Precanceled Envelopes of the United States, 4th Ed (2014)  in Paper or PDF version.
Visit www.precancels.com/publications or www.precancels.com/publications/members (discounted for PSS members) to purchase.

Information on Precanceled Envelope Users can be found on the this page.