Here is a scarce example of a false-franked postal card. The recent Troy-Bilt postal cards are modern samples of postal discounts offered for presorted, mass-mailings (commonly known as 'Junk Mail').
By the mailer performing this pre-processing function, the Postal Service need only route the sorted bundles to the appropriate region for delivery. This is encouraged thru a matrix of increasing discounts which are available based upon the level of mail-piece presort. To take advantage of these discounts, not only must the mail be presorted, but appropriately endorsed to indicate the level of presort and a minimum number of mail pieces must be bundled and mailed together.
The top address line in this example shows that the piece was presorted to the 5-digit zip level. This is the basic presort level for a mass mailing. At the time this item was mailed, the quantity discount rates had just increased. The rate for this item would have been 17-Cents. Note that the non-presorted, first class mail rate at this time would have been 19-Cents. According to postal regulations, an endorsement must identify that additional postage has been paid.
Here is the reverse side of the card.
Because of their 'Junk Mail' nature, Troy-Bilt and other presort discount postal cards are
rare items. Although many thousands of these items were produced, most of them wind up in
landfills with other, similar consumer advertising.
The fact that a postal card was used instead of a letter is unusual, and compounds the scarcity.
This kind of matter typically enters the mailstream uncancelled. The only evidence of passage is usually those funny Postal Service processing machinery letters and numbers found on the backs of cards and letters. The back of this card illustrates these markings.