A CATALOGUE OF OVAL POSTAGE METER INDICIA OF POSTAGE ...

So the plan was simple enough: Let’s get it all!The data collection effort was organized by sending letters to about 75 members of theMeter Stamp Society. While addressees were selected somewhat at random, As a generalstatement, those with low membership numbers were presumed to have the largestcollections and were approached first. Quite a number of recipients were supportive intheir response; but far fewer had collections of early material on which we would focusand were also able to commit to the effort needed. When the dust settled, we had 4committed collectors with substantial collections. (It is worthy of note that severaladditional people contributed short lists. In the almost 20 years since the work was done,their names are lost.)To get started, the Steiger (1, 2) and Pike (3) lists were transcribed into a computerspreadsheet database. A data sheet was then prepared and distributed to each of our coworkerswho logged meter usage as revealed by material in their collections. Eachcollector worked at his own pace, submitting data on an approximately once a monthbasis. Lists were often 20 or 25 pages long. Information carried on the datasheets wasthen transcribed into the main database. It is worthy of note that such was the motivationof the contributors that no one ever fell behind in his (all were men) effort, and the effortwent on for several years.That said, the major contributors to the catalogue were:Mr. Joseph BanchakMr. Alan DravesMr. Edwin LaphamMr. Malcolm MerrihewThey are a great bunch of guys, to whom I wish to say "Thank you!"The story might well be over had not David Crotty approached me as notedbelow. Since then, however, spurred on by his effort to find some way topublish the meter lists, we discovered that two of the above named originalparticipants – Draves and Banchak – have carried on what was done earlier.Indeed, the work done by the two (separately) makes the earlier effort seem awalk-in-the park. The “C” Type files offered here are the original set butsupplemented by Draves culling data from significant additions to hiscollection. In addition, the files which offer data on the D and F Types aresolely Draves’ work.4