NCR meters were used in a number of countries around the world. These meters looked like and operated similarly to the classic cash register. A gummed tape was printed with two separate operations so that two ink colors are common. The value line often included the postal zone and weight ( “Z.Wt.”), the value (often with a negative sign), and a serial number to the right that could be reset by the operator. A few examples are included showing similar meter designs from other manufacturers.

NCR Specimen

The earliest known postal use of an NCR meter is in early 1931. This specimen was printed to demonstrate the new postage meter line from NCR. Specimens were used by most manufacturers as advertising. Thanks To Joel Hawkins.

Specimen
Specimen NCR Meter

Austin Self Service Meter

In 1971 a coin-operated self service “parcel post” machine was installed in the lobby of the main Post Office in Austin, Texas. Unlike the Mailomat, this NCR machine provided a scale for weighing the item and issue adhesive labels. The “Austin” machine was in used for a few months only, and little is known about it today. Very few postally used examples are known. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

Austin Self Service Meter
Self Service Post Meter

Registered Mail Meter

Perhaps as few as eight NCR meters were provided for registered mail only use, without a town name or date. This particular type has two lower lines that extend completely across the design instead of the normal one line. Earliest known use: November 5, 1931. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Registered Mail Meter
NCR Registered Mail Meter

International Business Machines (IBM)

This example is included here because it looks so much like the NCR meter tapes. IBM entered the postage meter market very briefly in the 1930’s. Parcel post meters were placed in five post offices from February 6, 1935 to May 23, 1938. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

IBM Parcel Post Meter
IBM Parcel Post Meter

Canadian Parcel Post Meter NCR Meters

These four examples represent some of the many variations of tapes prepared by the early NCR parcel post meters used in Canada. Variations include the wording of the text and its position on the tape. These meters were generally placed at business locations. The example at right was placed at the “House of Assembly PQ” office in Toronto. The tapes usually were printed on tapes with a special underprinted design. NCR meters were often rented out during high parcel traffic seasons and stored for the remainder of the year. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

Canadian Parcel Post NCR Meters Canadian Parcel Post NCR Meters Canadian Parcel Post NCR Meters
Canadian Parcel Post NCR Meters

Canadian NCR Meter used on a Letter

This example is a nice NCR meter used on a letter (rather than the usual parcel post) showing the NCR preprinted tape. This would be an ordinary item except that it is mailed to Henry Meisel the president of the American Metered Postage Society (AMPS). Meisel was a forceful character who provided the members of his organization with numerous special covers, today generally known as Meisel Covers, that were often modifications of commercial meters. These modifications were somewhat illegal but he got away with it in the US. Meters from other countries were always unmodified. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

Canadian NCR Meter on Cover
Canadian NCR Meter on Cover

Canadian Postage Due NCR Meters

Postage due meters were placed in post offices to facilitate collection of postage for items that did not show proper postage. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

Canadian Postage Due NCR Meters Canadian Postage Due NCR Meters Canadian Postage Due NCR Meters Canadian Postage Due NCR Meters
Canadian Postage Due NCR Meters

Canadian Postage Due Sheet

In some cases a number of postage due items were collected together and postage due stamps were placed on a plain sheet or special form. Prepaid return envelopes and utility bill payments without proper postage were paid this way. Thanks to David Crotty.

Canadian Postage Due Sheet
Canadian Postage Due Sheet

Ecuador

This example of an Ecuadorian NCR meter is essentially identical to the design used in the United States. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Meter from Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador

Post Office Meter used in Hong Kong

NCR Design used in Hong Kong. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Meter from Hong Kong
NCR Meter Design Used in Hong Kong

Post Office Meters used in Japan

Two examples of a variety of designs used for NCR post office meters used in Japan. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Meter from Japan NCR Meter from Japan
NCR Post Office Meters Used in Japan

NCR Post Office Meter ued in Kenya

NCR meters may only have been used in Nairobi. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Meter from Kenya
NCR Post Office Meters Used in Kenya

NCR Meter used in Mexico

This impression was made from one of perhaps only two NCR meters used in Mexico. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Meter used in Mexico
NCR Meter Used in Mexico

NCR Meter used in Tanzania

Apparently this was a post office meter. Only one meter number “A” is known. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Meter used in Tanzania
NCR Meter Used in Tanzania

NCR Post Office Meter used in South Africa

This example shows one of a variety of designs used on NCR meters in South Africa. This piece shows the customs form used on a parcel. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

NCR Post Office Meter used in South Africa
NCR Post Office Meter Used in South Africa

Ohmer Fare Parcel Post Meter used in South Africa

This is the only known surviving example of a parcel post meter from the Ohmer Fare meter used in Pretorea. Thanks to Joel Hawkins.

Ohmer Fare Parcel Post Meter used in South Africa
Ohmer Fare Parcel Post Meter Used in South Africa

Mexico NCR

This unusual NCR type is the only example known. Thanks to Joel Hawkins

Very Rare Mexican NCR Very Rare Mexican NCR

FDOI Mexico NCR

This example was printed on the first day of issue for this NCR meter. Thanks to Joel Hawkins

First Day of Issue Mexican NCR
First Day of Issue Mexican NCR

Barbados NCR

An example from the only NCR meter used in Barbados. Thanks to Joel Hawkins

Barbados NCR
Barbados NCR