Below is a list of Machine Cancel Reference Literature that we currently have available. With these references, collectors and dealers can identify and evaluate thousands of different postmarks.
Most of these books are regular stock items, but some are available in limited quantities. As an example, the total printing of my Illinois Post Offices book was 418 copies. More than two-thirds of those have been sold since it was published in February, 1996, and I do not plan to reprint it. Such limited-edition titles are often difficult to obtain once the original printing is sold out.
PUBLISHERS: If you have any reference literature that you would
like to make available through this page, please email 
mehrer@postal-history.com , call or write
to discuss terms.
DEALERS: If you would like to stock any of the literature that
we publish (those showing Jim Mehrer as the author), we give generous
wholesale discounts at low quantities.
Email mehrer@postal-history.com,
call or write for details.
ALL BOOKS ARE PRICED POSTPAID IN U.S.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Due to the restructuring of the international postal rates which took effect in January, 2001, we must ask that you email us before ordering. In most cases, we add a charge of 20% to your total to provide for additional shipping costs. However, in some cases, the amount required for postage exceeds the 20% that we usually charge.
ILLINOIS RESIDENTS: Add 7% state sales tax to your order.
We do not accept CHARGE CARDS, and HERE'S WHY: Card companies would take about 5 percent off the top of whatever we sold. We don't feel like giving it to them, and we would rather not raise all of our prices just for the sake of handling charge cards. (Before you write and tell us that we can negotiate a better deal than 5 percent, we know that. But whether it's 3 or 4 or 5 percent, we still don't feel like raising the prices to "cover" it, as they say.) We were accepting payments through an online payment service for awhile, but then they started charging for their services, too. Maybe things will change someday.
We regret that we're unable to send
"bill with" orders, but that just adds to
the paperwork, and we've got plenty to do without the extra load.
Exceptions: If you're a long-time customer of ours, and you're
experiencing some kind of major "reference literature emergency"
that won't allow you to wait a couple of extra days, give us a
phone call (309 / 786-6539) and we'll discuss the possibilities.
U.S. Promotional Slogan Cancellations, 1899-1940. (Payne & Billings/2005): Due to popular demand, this popular title has been reprinted by the original publisher. We have a limited supply available.
This work is a mainstay for all machine cancel collectors, and an invaluable reference for all dealers and other collectors. The work consists of two volumes - a Catalog and a Companion - both which are attractively bound with a card stock cover. The complete work contains nearly 400 pages.
The catalog portion lists all known slogan machine postal markings from their inception in 1899 until 1940, arranged in alphabetical order. There is a value guide given for each slogan listed. The book contains more than 1,000 illustrations representing nearly every marking listed. The illustrations will help the reader to identify a particular slogan easily.
Also included is a short history of the introduction of slogan cancels, with a list of the various manufacturers whose machines were equipped with slogan dies, as well as a list of references for the research minded collector. In addition, there is a monograph covering the history of the American and Doremus slogan cancels used in the Philippine Islands in the early part of the 20th Century, accompanied by illustrated listings. At the end of the reference, there is an Index to the listings in the Catalog that will help the collector quickly find a slogan of interest.
This work is a MUST for collectors and dealers alike. Be sure
to add it to your library. As of December
12, 2007, we have only ONE COPY AVAILABLE. (398 pages;
softbound) Order #750601-R. $44.00.
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American Flags: See "Standard Flag Cancel Encyclopedia
/ Third Edition."
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American Service Markings: The Service Markings Attributed
to the American Postal Machines Company, 1890-1918. (Reg Morris
& Robert J. Payne/1991): The definitive catalog on the subject,
containing all known varieties of the receiving, transit, "mail
late," etc., styles of American machine cancels. Illustrated
and annotated, with catalog numbers, known periods of use, rarity
factors and corresponding value ratings. (73 pages; unbound.)
#970498. $24.00.
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Anthology of Machine Cancel Postal Markings: Volumes 1 through
5. (Machine Cancel Society/1992-1994): Contains monographs
on a wide variety of machine cancel topics, including: updates
on Barry, Groth-Constantine, Barr-Fyke, Perfection, Pneumatic
and Hampden cancels, plus American Machine service markings; U.S.
Naval machine postal markings; purple postal markings by facer/cancelers
1973-1984; machine postal markings of Florida; Greenfield, Michigan,
pseudo-machine cancels; a list of slogan cancels; spray markings;
Dayton, Ohio, jet-sprayed holiday labels; Potter & Vail update;
1992 Olympic Games marks; Doremus received marks; Universal "K"
cancels; parcel post stamps with flag cancellations; and a history
of the Ohio Jet Spray. A useful and interesting potpourri of subjects.
(Unbound.) #970493. $110.00.
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Barnard: See "George E. Barnard's Invention..."
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Barr-Fyke: The Machines and Early Postal Markings Attributed
to the Barr-Fyke Machine Company of Kansas City, Missouri - Volumes
1 through 3. (Reg Morris & Robert J. Payne/1990): The
definitive work on the subject, containing the history of the
company; the experimental machines; the U.S. machines; and the
foreign machines. Fully illustrated and annotated, with catalog
numbers, known periods of use, rarity factors and corresponding
value ratings. (367 pages; unbound.) #970494. $65.00.
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The Barry Story: Volumes 1 through 3. (Reg Morris &
Robert J. Payne/1988-1989): The complete catalog on the Barry
Machine postmarks. Begins with a history of the company, then
covers all known oval, circular and rectilinear postmarks, plus
slogans and service markings. Fully illustrated and annotated,
with catalog numbers, known periods of use, rarity factors and
corresponding value ratings. (495 pages; softbound. Volume 1 is
in its second printing as has a different binding from the other
two volumes.) #970495. $95.00.
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Cheshire (White Sewing Machine): See "Geary / Milam
& Holmes / White Sewing Machine (Cheshire) Machine Cancels."
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Doremus: See "Standard Encyclopedia of Doremus Machine
Cancels."
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Flags: See "Standard Flag Cancel Encyclopedia / Third
Edition."
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Geary / Milam & Holmes / White Sewing Machine (Cheshire)
Machine Cancels. (Koontz, et al./1977-82): Compilations
of articles on these three scarce manufacturers' machines. Reprints
of originals which appeared in the Machine Cancel Forum. (108
pages in three 3-ring folders.) #980906. $30.00.
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George E. Barnard's Invention of a Mail Marking Machine.
(Robert J. Payne/1994): Contains information about the company,
its experimental period and usages, leading ultimately the sale
of its patents to the American Postal Machines Company. Fully
illustrated and annotated, with catalog numbers and known periods
of use. (113 pages; unbound.) #970530. $29.00.
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Groth-Constantine Machines and Postal Markings. (Reg Morris
& Robert J. Payne/1989): The complete reference on these scarce
and desirable machine cancels, with information on the development
of the machines; their patents; Post Office trial periods; and
use. Illustrated and annotated, with catalog numbers, known periods
of use, rarity factors and corresponding value ratings. (71 pages;
unbound.) #970496. $24.00.
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Hampden: The Machines & Postal Markings Attributed to the
Hampden (Landfear) Cancelling Machine Co., 1896-1906. (Reg
Morris & Robert J. Payne/1991): The complete work on the subject,
with a history of the company and its patents. Fully illustrated
and annotated, with catalog numbers, known periods of use, rarity
factors and corresponding value ratings. (205 pages; unbound.)
#970531. $32.00.
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Imperial Mail Marking Machines in Canada. (Robert J. Payne/2003):
Illustrates and describes the Canadian flag cancels and other
types attributable to the Imperial Mail Marking Machine Company.
Complete listings of earliest and latest known usages for all
known types, many which are scarcely seen. (64 pages; unbound.)
#750603. $25.00.
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Imperial Mail Marking Machines Used in Boston, USA, 1896-99,
and in the United Kingdom, 1898-1907. (Robert J. Payne/2003):
Illustrates and describes the flag cancels and other types attributable
to the Imperial Mail Marking Machine Company, used in Boston,
MA, and the United Kingdom. Complete listings of earliest and
latest known usages for all known types, many which are scarcely
seen. (70 pages; unbound.) #750604. $25.00.
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Leavitt: See "Thomas Leavitt: His History and Postal
Markings, 1875-1892."
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Milam & Holmes: See "Geary / Milam & Holmes
/ White Sewing Machine (Cheshire) Machine Cancels."
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Perfection Mechanical Handstamp Machine: The Perfection Machines
and Mechanical Handstamp Markings of United States and Canada.
(Reg Morris & Robert J. Payne/1991): The definitive work on
the subject, containing the history of the company, its patents
and distribution of the machines. Illustrated and annotated, with
catalog numbers, known periods of use, rarity factors and corresponding
value ratings. (63 pages; unbound.) #970497. $20.00.
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PMCs: A Guide to Collecting Purple Machine Cancels. (Rob
Washburn/2000): Completely new revision of the information contained
in the original 1994 publication: The Purple Machine Cancel Handbook.
Includes newly discovered dial types, slogan types and cities,
with new earliest and latest known usages. Contains nearly twice
as many listings as the original, with a new section on purple
"flats" machine cancels. Illustrated. LIMITED
TO A PRINTING OF ONLY 250 COPIES. (81 pages; spiral
bound.) #700401. $22.00.
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Pneumatic: The Machines & Postal Markings Attributed to
the Pneumatic Cancelling Machine Co., 1898-1904. (Reg Morris
& Robert J. Payne/1991): The complete work on the subject,
with a history of the company and its patents, and sections covering
the experimental period and contract periods of the during which
the machines were used. Fully illustrated and annotated, with
catalog numbers, known periods of use, rarity factors and corresponding
value ratings. (170 pages; unbound.) #970532. $29.00.
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Potter and Vail: A Machine Cancel Society Specialized Study.
(Hilbing/1998): Definitive work , with company's history,
and details on all machines. Full census of known examples of
these scarce markings. (82 pages; unbound.) #980801. $24.00.
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Same Year Use of Different Flag Cancellation Dies. (Billings/1991):
Hundreds of illustrations & descriptions of similar appearing
types used in the same town during the same year. A must for identifying
varieties. Includes state-by-state listings of the scarce &
rare flags. (134 pages; loose-leaf.) #730213. $37.00.
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Standard Encyclopedia of Doremus Machine Cancels. (Frederick
Langford/1988): The definitive catalog on the Doremus cancel
types, with illustrations and identifying features. Lists all
towns that used these types, with periods of usage and relative
values. (60 pages; hardbound.) #990304. $27.00.
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Standard Flag Cancel Encyclopedia / Third Edition. (Frederick
Langford/1976): The definitive catalog on the various flag
cancel types, including American machines, Barr-Fyke machines,
slogan types, handstamps, etc. Includes illustrations and identifying
features. Lists all towns that used these types, with periods
of usage and relative values. (117 pages; hardbound.) #990303.
$27.00.
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Thomas Leavitt: His History and Postal Markings, 1875-1892.
(Robert J. Payne/2000): This definitive work on Leavitt Postal
Markings covers the postal history of this fascinating subject
from the earliest machine development to its final use.
The Leavitt hand-powered canceling machines are recognized as the first of the continuous-use canceling machines in the United States. They were used in 29 different cities, and saw major use in the Boston and New York City post offices. The earliest and latest reported dates of use are cited for each recognized marking, and many of these early and late uses are among more than 380 covers and postal cards which are illustrated. Each city known to have used a Leavitt machine is represented in the illustrations.
The author gives careful attention to the study of the rectilinear postmarks, the circular dials, the different types of the barred oval cancelers, and the various oblique and horizontal bar types.
All significant types of markings have been given scarcity ratings, with a table of dollar range equivalents accompanying the rating system. In addition, there is a special section that illustrates cancellation variants, showing an added value for each.
Robert Payne is recognized as one of the leading contributors
to postal history research and reference literature, particularly
in the area of machine cancels. Thirty-eight individuals contributed
their knowledge to this work, and several collectors graciously
offered images of material from their collections to be included
among the illustrations. Collectors and dealers alike will find
this book to be a welcome addition to any reference library. (342
pages; hardbound.) #700801. $45.00.
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U.S. Postal Machines of the Army Post Offices: World War II. (Bart Billings, in conjunction with Russ Carter, Bob Payne and Reg Morris/2006): More than sixty years after the end of WW II, there is finally a complete catalog of machine impressed postal markings used by the U.S.Army to cancel soldiers' mail. This 2-volume publication contains data accumulated by a number of dedicated collectors, covering APO cancels through the 900 series, as well as all of the BPOs (Base Post Offices). Included are hundreds of illustrations of postmarks; earliest known dates of use; and a valuation guide. Each type is rated from very common to extremely rare, with price ranges from $1 to $200.
A key feature is the Index of APOs, showing which of the seven
basic models of machines was used at each APO. The page on which
the APO listing and illustrations may be found is also given.
As long as the APO number in known, one can easily learn which
machine impressed a given cancel by checking the table. Another
important feature is the Type chart, which describes and illustrates
the various models and types of machines. We
have ONE copy left in stock. (314 pages; softbound.)
#761001. $65.00.
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The Time Marking Machine Company and the B.F. Cummins Company.
(Louis Geschwinder, Reg Morris & John Koontz): Compilation
of a series of articles which originally appeared in the Machine
Cancel Forum, plus three updates; two from the Machine Cancel
Forum, one by Richard Small. (197 pages; Acco bound.) #730110.
$25.00.
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White Sewing Machine (Cheshire): See "Geary / Milam
& Holmes / White Sewing Machine (Cheshire) Machine Cancels."
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Due to the restructuring of the international postal rates which took effect in January, 2001, we must ask that you email us before ordering. In most cases, we add a charge of 20% to your total to provide for additional shipping costs. However, in some cases, the amount required for postage exceeds the 20% that we usually charge.
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