Postal note stamps let senders send pennies across the miles

Postal note stamps let senders send pennies across the miles Exploring the so-called "back-of-the-book" section of the Scott's Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers yields a wealth of information beyond regular postage stamps. The catalog includes listings for stamps that paid for special services or taxes. Categories include revenue, special delivery, semi-postal, airmail, postage due, official and telegraph stamps. Each type has its own catalog designation with a letter assigned before the catalog number. Special delivery stamps carry an "E" designation, postage due stamps are designated by "J" and official stamps used by federal government agencies are designated by "O." The back-of-the-book items illustrate the evolution of postal services in times of war, rapid technological advancements and the thinking of Post Office Department managers. One page in the catalog encompasses postal note stamps, designated with "PN." Postal note stamps were used from Feb. 1, 1945, to March 31, 1951. Eighteen denominations from 1 cent through 90 cents were issued. Postal notes supplemented the regular postal money order service. When used with a postal note card, they were a means to send money in amounts up to 99 cents. Postal notes were more affordable for small-value transactions than the money order service. Up to two postal note stamps were affixed to a card in the amount of money being sent. The card included three parts: • Left: Payee's coupon. • Middle: The paying office coupon to which stamps were affixed; it was kept by the post office when the money was paid. • Right: Purchaser's receipt. Postal notes reduced paperwork for post office clerks, who simply had to affix the stamps and cancel them with a round dater postmark. The customer sending the money completed the form with the payee's name before sending it. The stamps share a common design. "United States of America" appears in white against a black background at the top. The center includes "Postal Note" against a line engraved background with the stamp value in white in a black box below those words. Curled laurel branches appear on both sides of the denomination box. "Cent(s)" appears at the bottom of the stamp with five-point stars on each side. The American Banknote Co. printed the stamps. However, the total quantity is unknown. The Smithsonian National Postal Museum website estimates a total print run of 660 million. Unused stamps were destroyed in 1951 although some were made available to collectors. Cuy-Lor show The Cuy-Lor Stamp Club hosts its 62nd show Saturday and Sunday at Rocky River Memorial Hall, 21016 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River. This year's theme is lighthouses, with the show's commemorative cover featuring one of the five Mid-Atlantic Lighthouse stamps released Aug. 6. The cover will feature a pictorial lighthouse postmark with a matching cachet. Thirteen dealers from Ohio and nearby states will offer stamps, covers, postcards and hobby supplies. In addition, 32 frames of exhibits on various stamp and postal history topics will be on display. Show visitors can vote for their favorite exhibit. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Parking and admission are free. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Memorial Hall and welcomes anyone interested in stamp collecting. Face masks are required, per Rocky River city government policy. BRSC meeting The Black River Stamp Club meets Nov. 12. Members will finalize plans for the club's annual show Nov. 20. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at Harvest Christian Church, 907 Eastern Heights Blvd., Elyria. In addition, there will be a business meeting followed by the monthly auction of stamps, covers and supplies. All are welcome. Face masks are recommended. Sadowski can be reached at sadowski.dennis@gmail.com. Editor's note: This column inadvertently was omitted from Sunday's paper.