United States Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/GROUP PD – Franks generated to indicate Postage Due

GROUP PD: Franks generated by Post Office meters to collect Postage Due edit

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  • Starting in February 1941 the Post Office began experimenting with using meters to apply Postage Due stamps. Several experiments took place before the wide "T" slogans (PD-E and PD-F) became the standard format.
  • All Postage Due meter stamps are found on tape or label, never directly applied to a cover or mail piece.
  • Most Postage Due meter stamps are printed in red but green is not uncommon, and, in ascending order of scarcity, blue, orange, purple, and black stamps are occasionally found.
  • The earliest known use of a meter stamp specifically designated to collect Postage Due is February 26, 1941.
 

NOTE: The postage due slogan shown at right was reportedly used at Defiance, Ohio in 1959. If true, it would have been locally crafted and unauthorized by the U.S. Postal Service. It was listed as Type PD-G-IA4A in the 2001 edition of this catalog but has been removed due to both its unauthorized status and the lack of verification of its existence.


Sub-group PD-A: Thin arrow pointing right, inverted "POSTAGE DUE" above, inverted "COLLECT" below edit

 


  • One meter used in one location over four days in 1941.
  • Printed in red on the first three days and in orange on the last day.






Type PD-A-IA3 in 2001 edition

 

PD-A1. Pitney Bowes "R", February 26-March 1, 1941. [RR for philatelic cover, RRRR for non-philatelic cover]

Post Office Type PO-A6.1B with Postage Due slogan A.
One meter only:  102973   BROOKLYN / N.Y.
Used during a four day trial from February 26 to March 1 in 1941.
Impressions from February 26-28 were made in red ink, but on the last day, March 1st, they were printed in orange.
V/F:  . 00 :

NOTES:

  • Nearly all known examples are philatelically prepared covers. Non-philatelic covers are extremely rare.
  • Proofs on unaddressed covers are known as early as February 24, 1941.
  • Postage Due slogan A is known with meter 104859 "NEW YORK / N.Y." dated June 4, 1941. The stamps are demonstration proofs. It was never used to frank actual mail. Only a couple examples are known.  [RRRR]






Sub-group PD-B: Right-pointing outline arrow containing "POSTAGE DUE/PAID", barbs on pointed end edit

 


  • Three meters were used between 1948 and 1952.






Type PD-B-IA4A in 2001 edition

 
 
 

PD-B1. Pitney Bowes "R" series, September 20, 1948.

Post Office Type PO-A6.2B with Postage Due slogan B.
Three meters were used in a trial that lasted a little more than three years, from September 1948 to the end of January 1952:
A.  156057   NEW YORK / N.Y. (used at GPO New York, September 20 to October 1948) [RRR for favor tape, unknown on non-philatelic cover]
B.  169333   SAN FRANCISCO / CALIF. (used at Rincon Annex, San Francisco CA from December 7, 1949 to January 30, 1952) [R for favor tape, RRRR on non-philatelic cover]
C.  170592   SAN FRANCISCO / CALIF. (used at Main P.O., San Francisco CA from December 8, 1949 to January 31, 1952) [R for favor tape, RRRR on non-philatelic cover]
V/F:   00 :







Sub-group PD-C: Right-pointing outline arrow containing "POSTAGE DUE/PAID", no barbs, lines thick on bottom edit


 

  • Two variations of the slogan were used.
- C1 - Text in arrow is upright
- C2 - Text is inverted
  • Twelve meters used in a trial conducted between 1951 and 1953.






Type PD-C-IA4A-1 in 2001 edition

 
 
 

PD-C1. Pitney Bowes "R" series, September 1951 to 1953.

Post Office Type PO-A6.2A/B with Postage Due slogan C1.
Nine meters were used in a trial that lasted about two years:
A. Town mark reads:  CHICAGO, ILL. / POST OFFICE   107635  [R for favor tape, RRRR on non-philatelic cover]
B. Town mark reads:  CHICAGO / P. O. / ILL. : [R for favor tape, RRR on non-philatelic cover]
-  113043
-  122602
-  137873
-  170165
-  170977
-  178076
-  182741
C. Town mark reads:  WASHINGTON / P. O. / D.C. :   197917   (September 9 to October 1951) [RRR for favor tape, RRRR on non-philatelic cover]
V/F:   00 :
 

NOTES:

  • An unaddressed cover franked by meter 197917 (sub-type C) dated September 8, 1951 exists. It is a pre-introduction proof.
  • A loose tape of this stamp exists with town mark   NEW YORK / P. O. / N.Y.   dated September 21, 1948, meter number  198300. No record exists of the meter ever being placed into service.




Type PD-C-IA4A-2 in 2001 edition

 

PD-C2. Pitney Bowes "R" series, September 1951.

Post Office Type PO-A6.2B with Postage Due slogan C2.
Three meters were used in a trial:
A.  183205   CHICAGO / P. O. / ILL. (first used January 28, 1952) [RR]
B.  197917   WASHINGTON / P. O. / D.C. (known used in September and October 1951) [RRRR]
C.  198500   NEW YORK / P. O. / N.Y. (first used October 8, 1951) [RRRR]
V/F:   00 :

NOTE: Nearly all examples known are favor proofs. Non-philatelic examples are extraordinarily rare.






Sub-group PD-D: Vertical rectangle containing "POSTAGE/DUE" edit

 

  • Two variations of the slogan were used.
- D1 - 10 mm tall, 19-20 mm wide. The lines of the letters are uniform in thickness
- D2 - 9½ mm tall, 17 mm wide. The lines of the letters are of variable thickness, most noticeable in the "O", "S", and "G". The "U" of DUE has a small serif at bottom right.
  • At least 41 machines were used with this slogan starting in 1951. Most had their slogans dies replaced by PD-E dies by the mid 1950s although at least one is known used as late as 1963.



Type PD-D-GA1 in 2001 edition

 

PD-D1.1. Pitney Bowes "JD" or "JDC", first used with Postage Due slogan on December 22, 1951.

Type PO-A3.1A (92745   CHICAGO / ILL.) with Postage Due slogan D1.
V/F:   0 00




Type PD-D-IA4A in 2001 edition

 
 
 

PD-D1.2. Pitney Bowes "R" series, October 1951.

Type PO-A6.2A/2B with Postage Due slogan D1.
Known with three town mark formats:
A. Town mark contains "P." and "O." at the sides. At least thirty-six meters were used in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Saint Louis, and San Francisco starting October 22, 1951.
B. Town mark contains "POST OFFICE" at bottom. Four meters known:  [S]
-  107635   CHICAGO, ILL. (used February 11, 1952 to June 29, 1953 when the town mark was changed to A)
-  301005   CHICAGO, ILL.
-  134947   DALLAS, TEXAS
-  107636   LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
C. Town mark contains no indication of post office use. One meter only:  109278   DALLAS / TEXAS  [RRRR]
V/F:   00 :



Unlisted in 2001 edition

 
 

PD-D2. Pitney Bowes "R" series, October 1951.  

Type PO-A6.2B with Postage Due slogan D2.
Two meters known:
A.  197917   WASHINGTON / P. O. / D.C. (earliest seen October 29, 1951)  [RRRR]
B.  186999   WASHINGTON / P. O. / D.C. (earliest seen March 24, 1952) [S for loose tape, RR on cover]
V/F:   00 :

  This is the same meter used in an earlier experiment, Type PD-A3.1C.






Sub-group PD-E: Wide "T" containing "POSTAGE/DUE" (Pitney Bowes) edit


 

  • Six variations were used and can be differentiated as follows:
- E1 -  11 mm tall, 19 mm wide at top, 12 mm wide at bottom. Wide space between POSTAGE and DUE. Wide letters.
- E2 -  11 mm tall, 19 mm wide at top, 11½-¾ mm wide at bottom. As E1 but the letters are narrower, most easily seen in the "O" of POSTAGE.
- E3 -  9 mm tall, 19 mm wide at top, 12½ mm wide at bottom. No space between POSTAGE and DUE. Narrow letters.
- E4 -  9 mm tall, 19 mm wide at top, 9¼ mm wide at bottom. Small space between POSTAGE and DUE. Small letters in POSTAGE.
- E5 -  11 mm tall, 17 mm wide at top, 11½-¾ mm wide at bottom. As E2 but with frame lines at sides of POSTAGE removed.
- E6 -  9 mm tall, 19 mm wide at top, 12 mm wide at bottom. Small but widely spaced letters in POSTAGE. Letters in DUE are short.
  • In use from 1952 until the last mechanical meters were withdrawn in the early 2000s.





 


Type PD-E-IA4AB in 2001 edition

 
 
 

PD-E1.1. Pitney Bowes "R" series, December 1, 1952.

Type PO-A6.2B with Postage Due slug E1. : In December 1952 at least nine meters in three cities began using the new "wide T" Postage Due slug. The were used on an experimental basis until early 1954.
A. Town mark  BALTIMORE / MD. :
-  122512
-  134865 [R]
B. Town mark  PHILADELPHIA / PA. :
-  121041 [RR]
-  153492 [RR]
C. Town mark  DALLAS / TEX. :
-  113021
-  182516 [R]
-  183181 [R]
-  304295 [R]
-  307252 [R]
V/F:   00 :

NOTE: Two first day impressions are known, both Baltimore meter 122512 on cover halves.



Type PD-E-IC3B in 2001 edition

 

PD-E1.2. Pitney Bowes "5303", October 17, 1962.  [RRRR]

Type PO-A7.3A with Postage Due slogan E1.
Long after the "E1" slogan was retired and replaced by slogan "E2" a lone example turned up on a meter used in Pleasantville, New York, home of large volume mailer Readers Digest magazine.
Only one example of the stamp has been found, in green, on loose tape:  544231   PLEASANTVILLE / N.Y.
F/V:   0 .00



 


Type PD-E-IA4A in 2001 edition

 
 
 
 
 

PD-E2.1. Pitney Bowes "R" series, 1953.

Types PO-A6.2 and IA4.1 with Postage Due slogan E2.
The "E2" slogan began replacing the "EA" slogan starting in 1953. The earliest date reported so far is July 2.
The E2 format became the standard Postage Due meter slogan and remained in use on Pitney Bowes meters until the machines were replaced by new digital system in the early 2000s.
F/V:   00 :
A. Town mark contains "POST OFFICE" at bottom
B. Town mark contains "P" and "O" at the sides
a. Applied to tape with red and green spotting on the top and bottom edges. This was an experiment conducted in the Minneapolis Minnesota main post office from 1953 to 1955 to make Postage Due meter stamps more easily recognizable by mail carriers. The earliest and latest dates seen are August 18, 1953 and June 22, 1955. One main meter was used in the trial, but one stamp from another meter is known on the colorfully edged tape:
-  312056   meter frank in green [S]
-  325998   meter frank in red [RRRR]
 Tapes are known with red edge markings only, the green edge ink reservoir apparently depleting.



C. Town mark contains "US" and "PS" at the sides
D. Town mark contains no indication of post office use







Type PD-E-IA4B in 2001 edition

 

PD-E2.2. Pitney Bowes "R" series, 1953.

Types PO-A6.3 ane IA4.2 with Postage Due slogan E2.
A. Town mark contains "P" and "O" at the sides
B. Town mark contains "US" and "PS" at the sides
C. Without indication of post office use in the town mark
V/F:   00 :



Type PD-E-IA10A in 2001 edition

 
 
 

PD-E2.3. Pitney Bowes "R" series, 1953.

Type PO-A6.4 with Postage Due slogan E2.
A. Town mark contains "POST OFFICE" at bottom
B. Town mark contains "P" and "O" at the sides
C. Town mark contains no indication of post office use
V/F:   00 :








Type PD-E-IA10B in 2001 edition

 

PD-E2.4. Pitney Bowes "R" series, 1953.

Types PO-A6.5 and IA4.6 with Postage Due slogan E2.
A. Town mark contains "P" and "O" at the sides
B. Town mark contains "US" and "PS" at the sides
V/F:   00 :



Type PD-E-IC3A in 2001 edition

 
 
 

PD-E2.5. Pitney Bowes Model "5303", 1963?.

Types PO-A7.3 and IC3.1 with Postage Due slogan E2.
A. Town mark contains "P" and "O" at the sides. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are widely spaced.
B. Town mark contains "P" and "O" at the sides. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are narrowly spaced.
C. Town mark contains "US" and "PS" at the sides. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are widely spaced.
D. Town mark contains "US" and "PS" at the sides. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are narrowly spaced.
E. Without indication of post office use in the town mark. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are widely spaced.
V/F:   0.00   (range:  0.01  to  99.99)





Type PD-E-IC3B in 2001 edition

 
 

PD-E2.6. Pitney Bowes Model "5336", "5382", and rebuilt "5303", 1979?.

Types PO-A7.4 and IC3.2 with Postage Due slogan E2.
A. Town mark contains "US" and "PS" at the sides. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are widely spaced.
B. Town mark contains "US" and "PS" at the sides. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are narrowly spaced.
C. Without indication of post office use in the town mark. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are widely spaced.
D. Without indication of post office use in the town mark. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are narrowly spaced.
V/F:   0.00   (range:  0.01  to  99.99)



Type PD-E-IC4A in 2001 edition

 
 

PD-E2.7. Pitney Bowes Models "5308", "5318",

Types PO-A7.5 and IC4.1 with Postage Due slogan E2.
A. Town mark contains "P" and "O" at the sides
B. Without indication of post office use in the town mark
V/F:   . 00
a. As B, town and state at top of town mark, blank at bottom





Type PD-E-IC4B in 2001 edition

 

PD-E2.8. Pitney Bowes Model 5335/5380", .

Type PO-A7.6B with Postage Due slogan E2.
V/F:   . 00




Type PD-E-IC8A in 2001 edition

 

PD-E2.9. Pitney Bowes Models "5337", "5383", and rebuilt "5322".

Type PO-A7.7 with Postage Due slogan E2.
V/F:   .00


 

PD-E2.10. Pitney Bowes Model "5322", .

Type PO-A7.8D or IC8.2B with Postage Due slogan E2.
Without indication of post office use in the town mark. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are narrowly spaced.
V/F:   .00


 


Type PD-F-GA1 in 2001 edition

 

PD-E3. Pitney Bowes "JD", January 24, 1958.  [S]

Type PO-A3.1C with Postage Due slogan E3.
One meter known:  95935   PLEASANTVILLE / N.Y.
V/F:   0 00

NOTE: Proofs of this stamp (95935 with Postage Due slogan EC) exist with town mark DETROIT / MICH. dated February 19, 1954.  [RRR]







 


Type PD-F-IA4A in 2001 edition

 

PD-E4. Pitney Bowes "R" series, March 5, 1954.  [RRRR]

Type PO-A6.2B with Postage Due slogan E4.
Two Post Office meters in Chicago were used for a short time with this Postage Due slogan.
A.  107635   CHICAGO / ILL.
B.  312683   CHICAGO / ILL.
The few examples we have seen range in date from March 5 to June 2, 1954.
V/F:   00 :







 


Unlisted in 2001 edition

 
 

PD-E5.1. Pitney Bowes "5303" series, 1979.  [RRRR]

Types PO-A7.3C and IC3.1 with Postage Due slogan E5.
Slogan E5 is Postage Due slogan E2 with the frame lines at the sides of POSTAGE removed. Unevenly inked examples of E2 can look like E5 but under close examination usually reveal a light impression of at least one of the frame lines. Slogan E5 appears to be a deliberate alteration. They came into use quite late, and all seen are from relatively small towns. Only a few meters are known to have used it.
A. With "P" and "O" at the sides of the town mark:  968774   VILLE PLATTE / LA.
B. Without indication of post office use in the town mark:  968916   ENSENADA / P.R.
Meters other than the ones listed here may exist.
V/F:   0 .00



Unlisted in 2001 edition

 

PD-E5.2. Pitney Bowes "5336/5382" series, 1979.  [RRRR]

Types PO-A7.4C and D with Postage Due slogan E5.
A. With "US" and "PS" at the sides of the town mark. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are widely spaced. Three meters seen:
-  3302809   KAILUA / HI
-  3303757   MARS / PA
-  3312244   JACKSON / NJ
B. With "US" and "PS" at the sides of the town mark. The wavy lines at left in the value figures are narrowly spaced. One meter seen:  33298053   ALEXANDRIA / LA
Meters other than the ones listed here may exist.
V/F:   0 .00








 


Type PD-F-GA1 in 2001 edition

 

PD-E6. Pitney Bowes "5308/5318" series, March 21, 1983.  [RRRR]

Type PO-A7.5A with Postage Due slogan E6.
One example of one meter reported:  931671   AUSTIN / MN
V/F:   . 00






Sub-group PD-F: Wide "T" containing "POSTAGE/DUE" (Friden) edit

 

  • The wide "T" slogan was also used with Friden post office meters. The adaptation to the machines included gripper marks above and below the slogan.
  • The Friden slogan is most similar to the Pitney Bowes E3 slogan but is slightly wider at 22 mm.
  • It was first used in 1966. All the stamps are scarce.





Type PD-H-KB1 in 2001 edition

 

PD-F1. Friden "9222".

Type PO-A12.1 with Postage Due slogan F.
Meter numbers in 200000 and 030000 series.
V/F:  .00




Type PD-H-KB2 in 2001 edition

 
 

PD-F2. Friden "9222".

Type PO-A12.2 with Postage Due slogan F.
Meter numbers in 030000, 220000, and 230000 series.
A. Meter number with serifed "F" prefix
B. Meter number with sanserif "S" prefix
C. Meter number with sanserif "F" prefix    [RRRR]
V/F:  .00
a. As A or C, town mark without indication of post office use







Type PD-H-KB3 in 2001 edition

 

PD-F3. Friden "9228".

Type PO-12.4 with Postage Due slogan F.
A. Meter number with serifed "F" prefix
B. Meter number with sanserif "S" prefix
Meter numbers in 030000, 041000, and 320000 series.
V/F:  0.00
a. As B, town mark without indication of post office use





Sub-group PD-G: Digital label with "POSTAGE DUE" across top, Intermec edit

  • The Intermec Postage Validation Imprinter trial that took place in the late 1980s produced Postage Due stamps in addition to postage.





Type PDX-A1A in the 2001 edition

 

PD-G1. Intermec (digital), January to March 1986.  [RRRR]

From the same system that produced Type PO-B5.2 but instead of an eagle design the stamp has large negative "POSTAGE DUE" across the top.
Four machines (000009, 000010, 000011, and 000012) were used in Vienna Virginia (VIENNA / VA). Postage Due stamps have been seen or reported only from 000011 and 000012.
V/F:  Ø.ØØ

NOTES:

  • Postage Due stamps from machines 000009 and 000010 may exist but have not been seen by or reported to us.
  • These stamps are known only a mint tapes sold to collectors. No covers properly franked by this stamp are known to exist.
  • Presumably a Postage Due version of Type PO-B5.1 was in use from July 31, 1985 to the end of that year, but no examples have been reported.



Type PDX-A1B in the 2001 edition

 
 
 

PD-G2. Intermec (digital), March 1986.  [R-RRR]

As Type PO-B5.3 but instead of an eagle design the stamp has large negative "POSTAGE DUE" across the top.
It is safe to assume that each machine described for Type PO-B5.3 was able to produce Postage Due stamps. Listed below are those seen or reported:
A. Used in Vienna, Virginia with town mark:
-  Vienna / VA  :   I8600101
-  VIENNA / VA :   I8600155, -156, -157, -158
B. Used in Tampa, Florida:
-  TAMPA / FL PO 33630 :   I8600115, -120, -123, -130, -163, -176, -180
-  TAMPA / FL PO 33629 :   I8600122, -127, -148, -177, -178
C. Used in Saint Petersburg, Florida:
-  SAINT PETE / FL PO 33730 :   18600136, -140, -150, -152, -165, -175
-  Saint Pete / FL PO 33730 :   I8600186
-  SAINT PETE / FL 33730 :   I8600277
-  ST PETE / FL 33730 :   I8600152, -165
-  St. Peteburg / Fl 33730 :   I8600123
D. Used in Clearwater, Florida:
-  CLEARWATER / FL PO 33575 :   I8600106, -129, -141, -276
-  CLEARWATER / FL. 33575 :   I8600160
-  CLEARWATER / FL :   I8600147
-  Clearwater / FL PO 34625 :   I8600162
-  Clearwater / Fl 34618 :   I8600124, -141, -147, -160
E. Used in Denver, Colorado:  DENVER CO 80202 :   I8600220, -232, -236, 247, -267  [RR]
F. Used in Washington DC:  WASHINGTON / DC 20016 :   I8600192, -203, -206  [RRR]
V/F:  Ø.ØØ

NOTES:

  • The early labels used in Vienna, Virginia did not have anti-peel slits. Starting in late 1986 or early 1987 labels with anti-peel slits cut into the edges came into use. All stamps from the other locations were printed only on labels with anti-peel slits. The Vienna stamps without the anti-peel slits are relatively scarce.
  • Nearly all these Intermec Postage Due stamps available are mint tapes sold to collectors. Just a handful of covers franked by this stamp are known to exist.





Sub-group PD-H: Digital P.O. counter label with "PD" in town line, MOS-UNISYS edit

  • Although not intended for collecting Postage Due, the MOS/UNISYS Postage Validation Imprinter system was used occasionally for that purpose in some post offices. Only one such machine is known to have been specifically labels as a Postage Due franker.



Unlisted in the 2001 edition

 

PD-H1. MOS Corporation/UNISYS (digital).  [RRRR]

Type PO-B6.1 with town line "TAMPA PD BR.FL" .
At least one of the PVI machines used in Tampa, Florida has "PD BR" (for Postage Due Branch) in the town line. Although other PO-B6 type PVI stamps have been used to collect postage due, the Tampa example is the only one known dedicated to collecting postage due and indicating so in the town line.
V/F:  $0.00  $00.00

NOTE: A similar Postage Due stamp based on Type PO-B6.4 may exist but has not yet been reported.






Sub-group PD-J: Digital P.O. counter label with "POSTAGE DUE" at top edit

  • This stamp first surfaced in January 2018. How it was generated remains unknown at present.



Unlisted in the 2001 edition

 
 

PD-J1. Undetermined, possibly Toshiba (digital).

Similar to large digital personal computer labels (Group PC) and Post Office Type PO-B9 but with large "POSTAGE DUE" at top above "Total Amount Due" and the value figures.
A. With "Postage due amount computed by Post Office" between "POSTAGE DUE" and "Total Amount Due"
B. With "Postage due amount computed by Post Office" below "Total Amount Due"
In the box at right is a large "P".
This is a stamp generated by the U.S. Postal Service's Package Intercept program which allows customers to arrange for incoming parcels to be intercepted and held at the post office for later pickup.
V/F:  $(000)0.00
a. With "HOLD FOR PICKUP" is in a band below the "from" address.