USA 5¢ Postage Paid Meter Stamp

United States of America · 1940 · 5¢

A black and white meter stamp featuring 'U.S. POSTAGE' at the top, 'PAID' prominently in the center, and '5¢' below it. The design includes wavy lines on either side of 'PAID'.

Meter stamps like this revolutionized mail processing by allowing businesses to print postage directly onto envelopes, streamlining bulk mail and reducing the need for adhesive stamps. This specific type (ESY-BA5.11) represents an early form of automated postage from the mid-20th century.