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THE
MYSTERIES OF METERS While going through my metered mail material - actual covers and photocopies - to make sure that nothing would be forgotten for that chapter of The Postal Markings of Guatemala I am now working on, I was very surprised, after taking a better look at the cute cover of 1957 from the late Romeo Routhier to Roger Frigstad illustrated herewith, that it does not have the usual "P.B.4" reference, but a "RT4" numbering! RT was the type of meter produced by Pitney Bowes that had this quetzal design and was used in Guatemala for over 40 years. The use here was certainly at the (main?) Post office. Has anyone else seen or own covers with such Guatemalan meter frankings with a RT numbering instead of the standard P.B. reference? A close look at a normal P.B.4 meter from the 1950s shows that it has the same general type of wear as this odd item.
While
on the subject of meter mysteries, I am also seeking confirmation of the genuine
existence of a type listed in the recently published International Postage Meter
Stamp Catalog by Joel A. Hawkins and Richard Stambaugh.
It has the same square boxed style as the well-known "U" meters
but shows a "S-2" reference. According
to the aforementioned catalog, this would refer to a Simplex type of meter,
produced by Pitney Bowes, and apparently used in 1973.
Can anyone supply me a good scan or photocopy to confirm such a listing?
The examples illustrated in the catalog are rather poor, protected by
copyright and show values of 10c and 12c, with a superscripted and underlined
"c", which is a rather unusual form compared to the other Guatemalan
meters. Additionally, such
denominations did not represent any of the main rates at that period! Finally,
I also have some evidence that EL CORREO, after modifying the last type with the
quetzal and P.B. 10001 and up references, now possibly use Pitney Bowes meters
with only their logo and no country name! I hope to get some information on the present situation
directly from Guatemala soon. In
the meantime, I would be most grateful for any help the readers of this article
can supply! |
