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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.

 

Specimen of  NCR Meter	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.               Joel Hawkins
Self Service Parcel Post 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.              Joel Hawkins
NCR Registered Mail 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.   Joel Hawkins
IBM Parcel Post 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. Joel Hawkins
Canadian Parcel Post NCR Meters	Canadian Parcel Post 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.  Joel Hawkins
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 un-modified. Joel Hawkins
Canadian Postage Due NCR Meters	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. Joel Hawkins
Canadian Postage Due Sheet	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. David Crotty
Quito, Ecuador	Ecuador This example of an Ecuadorian NCR meter is essentially identical to the design used in the United States. Joel Hawkins
NCR Post Office Meters used in Japan	Post Office Meter used in Hong Kong NCR Design used in Hong Kong. Joel Hawkins
NCR Post Office Meters used in Japan	Post Office Meters used in Japan Two examples of a variety of designs used for NCR post office meters used in Japan. Joel Hawkins
NCR Post Office Meters used in Kenya	NCR Post Office Meter used in Kenya NCR post office NCR meters may only have been used in Nairobi. Joel Hawkins
NCR Meter used in Mexico	NCR Meter used in Mexico This impression was made from one of perhaps only two NCR meters used in Mexico. Joel Hawkins
NCR Meter used in Tanzania	NCR Meter used in Tanzania Apparently this was a post office meter.  Only one meter number "A" is known. Joel Hawkins
NCR Post Office Meter used in South Africa	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. Joel Hawkins
Ohmer Fare Post Office meter used in South Africa (click for larger view)	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. Joel Hawkins
Very Rare Mexican NCR	Mexico NCR   This unusual NCR type is the only example know.                                                            Joel Hawkins
Mexican NCR First Day of Issue	Mexico NCR   This example was printed on the first day of issue  for this NCR meter.                               Joel Hawkins
Barbados NCR	Barbados NCR   An example from the only NCR meter used in Barbados.                                Joel Hawkins