U.S. Machine Cancel Identifier – Perfection, Milam/Holmes, or White Sewing Machine (Cheshire) Models
All possible machines here are not common. The Milam and Holmes machine is very rare. The Perfection machine is the most common of these three. The White Sewing Machine (Cheshire) company item is also rare. Note that the shape of the horizontal line killers are different for each of these machines. The lettering of the postmarks are also different.
The Milam and Holmes company also produced a cancel with a repeating ’eagle’ image. These cancels are very rare.
The Perfection Company sold a machine in the early part of the 20th century that was used primarily in small post offices, many of them in the Michigan area. This machine was not motor-driven, but was rather a level-action mechanical device that impressed the equivalent of a handstamp cancel.
The so-called ‘Cheshire’ machine was made by the White Sewing Machine Company. It appears to have been used only as an experimental model.
![[milam holmes machine cancel]](../machines/milam_holmes.jpg)
Milam and Holmes Machine Impression (1898)
![[perfection machine cancel]](../machines/perfection_type2.jpg)
Perfection (Type 2) Impression
![[white sewing machine ‘cheshire’ experimental machine cancel]](../machines/white_sewing_machine_experimental_machine.jpg)
Experimental machine from the White Sewing Machine Company (Cheshire)
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