Auxiliary handstamp, MISSENT
Postal clerks used MISSENT handstamps to endorse mail that had been erroneously dispatched, thereby delaying its delivery. The clerk detecting the error would imprint MISSENT to the left of the postmark and then re-dispatch the mail using proper routing to the destination post office.
The Chambers shop, Pitney Bowes, and International Postal Supply all manufactured these single-line steel handstamps, and they are nearly indistinguishable in style. They all share a common production method: a long soft-steel bar is pressed against a hardened-steel tool die with MISSENT in relief. This rolling leaves the reversed lettering raised for intaglio printing. The long bar with multiple MISSENT impressions is cut to the length shown and then drilled at the back to accept a handle-mount rod. After the steel die is case-hardened, the handle and brass ferrule are pressed onto the die.
