USA: Covers with Mailer’s Precanceled Postmarks

I collect and stash these away when they arrive in my mailbox. Trust me when I say I have quite a stash. One just recently arrived and I thought it would be a good opportunity to show them off here on the forum. In the end the postmark is a form of precancel used by high volume mailers like businesses and non-profit organizations, after obtaining a permit from the US Postal Service. The USPS Domestic Mail Manual, 604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds, states: 

3.4.6 Design and Content of Mailer’s Postmark
The mailer’s precancel postmark must contain specific elements:

The mailing date (day, month, and year) if used on First-Class Mail; the month and year of mailing may be shown on USPS Marketing Mail.
The words “Mailer’s Postmark” followed by the permit number and enough lines to deface (cancel) the postage.
Either the city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code of the Post Office where the precancel permit is held and the mailing is to be deposited, or the words “Mailed From ZIP Code” followed by the 5-digit ZIP Code of the mailing office. (If that Post Office is assigned more than one 5-digit ZIP Code, the precancel postmark must show the 5-digit ZIP Code assigned to the postmaster.)

The design of the precancel must also meet specific design criteria:

3.4.9 Required Format
A mailer must use one of the Format A designs in Exhibit 3.4.9. Format B may be used only by a mailer previously authorized to do so and who has the necessary die. The only permissible alternative or modification to any format is the addition of a price marking permitted by 3.4.7.



I thought the one I recently received was a little bit more interesting in that the permit number does not seem to be part of the rest of the postmark and seems to be pre-printed separately on the envelope. The stamp is the 2020 presort star design issued in February of last year and is Sc. no. 5433. The permit no. is 212, pre? printed separately on cover.




So, this is a start. If you live in the US, you are likely to have one of these show up in your mailbox at one point or another. Post your covers with Mailer's Precanceled Postmarks here!