John's Modern Postal History Section
Postage Value Imprints (PVI) on Flats and Packages

Return to Sender

 
Return to Sender using PVI

Subtitled: "Let Me Count the Ways"

This interesting package is used to as an example of a returned package. I came up with 8 -- countem 8 -- different additional marking on the package. This package should not have shown up as while it was addressed to the wrong PO Box, the Post Office (and town) is very small and the person to whom it was addressed says he knows everyone who works in the Post Office by name and they all know him.

1) This is a standard "Post-It Note" that was the clerk stamped twice. Once a Pointing Finger and RETURNED/TO/WRITER in Red . The other stamp is a Pointing finger 'RETURN/TO/SENDER"and a checklist of why the item is being returned. In this case the reason is "Attempted Not Known."  I have no idea what the orange blob on the lower right corner of the post-it note is, but it looks like what is left from a Bingo marker.

2) The oriiginal PVI paying the poistage from Pomeroy WA to Arizona City AZ. The $2.26 paid the Media Mail Rate for >2 & <3 pounds. 

3) a self-adhesive sticker approximately half the size of a PVI label that is covering the Bar Code on the original PVI.

4) Another Pomeroy WA PVI for $2.26. This "stamp" was used to show that I had paid the postage due and was then marked VOID in pen by the Pomeroy counter clerk.

5) Manuscript "Return" and circle written by the clerk in Arizona City. There is a smudge to the right of the word Return that probably is where the original Bar Code to Arizona City was.

6) Manuscript "1122" that has been crossed out. I'd appreciate any ideas on what this was for. The item was addressed to a PO Box, so it may have been a clerk's number?

7) Another small-size bar coded sticker, this one with the Zip Code for Pomeroy WA (99347) and a smaller longer number of DEN2083371208. Maybe showing routing through Denver, Colorado?

8) Felt pen marking though the original address of a PO Box in Arizona City, Arizona. 

This package was mailed at book  (Media Mail) rate with no additional services requested from  Pomeroy WA 99347 to Arizona City AZ 85223. Original size is approximately 11" x9 1/4"