USA Pitney Postal Machine Meter Stamp Proof Cover

United States · 1903 · 1 cent

A black ink impression of a 1 cent U.S. postage meter stamp on a proof cover, featuring 'U.S. POSTAGE ONE CENT PAID' and identifying the Pitney Postal Machine Co. of Chicago, Illinois, with a patent date of 1903.

This proof cover from 1903 represents a very early stage in the development of postage meter technology by the Pitney Postal Machine Co., predating the widespread use of meter stamps and the formation of Pitney Bowes.