watermark
Member 
Posts: 62 
What I collect: My main collecting area is focused on Canadian stamps printed from steel engraved plates. Specifically re-entries and constant plate varieties.
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Post by watermark on Jan 3, 2018 3:36:36 GMT
This is what I will call a shipping stamp. It was used by Merchants Parcel Delivery. They started using Model T Ford delivery trucks in 1914. By 1918, The company was handling all the deliveries for three of the largest department stores in the Seattle area. This company became United Parcel Service around 1920.
I have a bit more information on this item but not sure where to post it. Or would you like a write up for the next newsletter?
Thank you, Mike
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watermark
Member
Posts: 62
What I collect: My main collecting area is focused on Canadian stamps printed from steel engraved plates. Specifically re-entries and constant plate varieties.
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Post by watermark on Jan 3, 2018 13:59:49 GMT
The Merchants Parcel Delivery stamp was found in an attic in Alpena, Michigan. How it got there is a mystery. It is on a large piece of brown wrapping paper which is devoid of marks except for the stamp and cancelation. This was a July, 1981 discovery.
I contacted Lynn's Stamp News and they published it in the Collectors' Forum August 25, 1981. I got a bit of a surprise when I started receiving replies from various people associated with United Parcel Service as they sent me information on the history of the UPS and it included the names of the predecessor companies which included Merchants Parcel Delivery. The time frame and purpose of this stamp is still unknown.
The delivery service started using Model T delivery trucks in 1913 the year the American Messenger Company changed its name to Merchants Parcel Delivery Incorporated. So the stamp was in use sometime after the Model T trucks were in use so say 1913. The company became United Parcel Service in 1919/20. That makes the time frame for possible usage of the stamp 1913 to about 1920.
The information on the stamp also has a few clues. Main 623 at the bottom of the stamp was the company's phone number in Seattle. The numbered circular band cancelation has a few clues as well. The use of numbers 1-12, with three hash marks between the numbers makes me believe this to be a 12 hour indicator with 15 minute increments. Note the little arrow pointing to the"2" and "PM" above the scrolling indicating either acceptance or delivery time. Across the center of the cancelation there may be evidence of a date "J? 6 14" which could be a month starting with "J", day "6", and year "14" which may indicate the year of usage as 1914.
Anyone with further thoughts or information on this interesting item please feel free to post comments.
Mike |
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watermark
Member
Posts: 62
What I collect: My main collecting area is focused on Canadian stamps printed from steel engraved plates. Specifically re-entries and constant plate varieties.
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Post by watermark on Jan 3, 2018 23:29:37 GMT
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cindycan2
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 321
What I collect: Canada Cinderella stamps
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Post by cindycan2 on Nov 19, 2018 4:54:03 GMT
This is what I will call a shipping stamp. It was used by Merchants Parcel Delivery. They started using Model T Ford delivery trucks in 1914. By 1918, The company was handling all the deliveries for three of the largest department stores in the Seattle area. This company became United Parcel Service around 1920.
I have a bit more information on this item but not sure where to post it. Or would you like a write up for the next newsletter?
Thank you, Mike
This stamp is listed in the Catalog of Private Express Covers, Labels and Stamps (2018 edition) by Bruce Mosher, on page 160. It is seen in 5 different colors: brown, green, orange, magenta, or purple, all on white paper rouletted 4. One green stamp is known with a Feb 1914 h/s cancellation.
A similar stamp with identical design but perforated 12 and printed in green or orange on white is also listed.
Mosher mentions that the Merchants Parcel Delivery Inc. operated in the Seattle, Wash area from 1913-1919. It was the successor to the American Messenger Co, and became the United Parcel Service in 1919.
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watermark
Member
Posts: 62
What I collect: My main collecting area is focused on Canadian stamps printed from steel engraved plates. Specifically re-entries and constant plate varieties.
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Post by watermark on Nov 19, 2018 12:56:01 GMT
cindycan2, Thank you for this additional information.
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