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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3216 Posts |
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Hi all, not sure if this should go here or in the postcard section, but here it goes: I was just puttering around and found this postcard in my collection. I've had it for years, but only just noticed that the picture side of the card seems tailored for Parcel Post delivery. I have to admit I am not familiar with Parcel Post rules & regulations, but I don't think a postcard is a "parcel". Can anyone shed some light on the use of Parcel Post stamps on things like postcards and letters? What was the difference between P.P. and first class? Was this card possibly made specifically for sale through the Post Office?   |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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Parcel Post stamps were something of a debacle when they were issued in 1913. Here's the brief summary: Quote:
Parcel Post stamps (Scott #Q1 – Q12) were issued Jan 1, 1913. They were only to be used to pay postage on packages. They were not to be used for payment of other postage rates.
The twelve stamps had different denominations. But they were all printed in red ink. Identifying the stamps took a little time because you had to scrutinize the denomination on each stamp. It was very easy to confuse the 1˘ and $1 stamps because both had a large numeral "1" in the bottom corners.
Postal clerks hated the Parcel Post stamps. Because they were all the same color, there was no way to quickly look at a package and determine if it had the right postage on it or not.
To make a long story short, the USPOD stopped printing Parcel post stamps. Effective July 1, 1913, Parcel Post stamps could be used for any postage rate. Also, payment of postage on parcels could be made with any stamps.
For just six months, only Parcel Post stamps were to be used for paying postage on parcels. |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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Here's a copy of the Postmaster General's Order allowing the stamps to be used on all classes of mail:  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
6661 Posts |
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Parcel Post Stamps (1 & 2 ˘) were valid for Postage. The 1˘ pays the correct rate for a Postcard and 2˘ paid the domestic letter rate.  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3216 Posts |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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I should also mention that the postcard scanned at the beginning of this thread would be of special interest because:
1. The subject matter of the postcard refers to parcel post deliveries; and
2. The parcel post stamp used on the postcard was only authorized a little more than a month before the date of the cancellation. |
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| Edited by wt1 - 02/26/2012 4:25 pm |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3216 Posts |
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Ah yes, that is what really got me curious. Maybe the post office issued some cards to go with the newly legal leftover postcard-rate stamps? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7097 Posts |
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I like that the first letter is addressed to Faith Hill..lol I wonder if they are related? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1189 Posts |
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To answer your question about whether this card was made for sale through the post office, the answer is emphatically NO. I'm not an expert on post cards, but this is definitely a "post" card. Ones which are issued by the government are called postal cards. You'll note on the address side of the card there is a company logo for T.P. & Co (or possibly T.F. & Co). This tells you it is a commercially printed card. Another indicator is the large POST CARD at the top center of the address side. I can understand your confusion, considering the picture side's theme. Perhaps these were created to be used by the USPOD to advertise the Parcel Post service, but I have to say I've never heard or read anything which would be indicative of that type of connection. Hope this helps. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3216 Posts |
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Perhaps these were created to be used by the USPOD to advertise the Parcel Post service, but I have to say I've never heard or read anything which would be indicative of that type of connection. Hope this helps. Yup, I know the different between a "postal card" and "postcard". Your last point is what I was thinking about. Maybe something printed special. ALSO, I just noticed that the PARCEL POST sign is on, well... a POST! :-) I wonder how long it took to run out of these stamps? |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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Quote:
I wonder how long it took to run out of these stamps? Probably quite awhile. According to the Scott Specialized Catalog, there were more than 209 million (1c); 206 million (2c); 29 million (3c); 76 million (4c); 108 million (5c); 56 million (10c); 21 million (15c); 17 million (20c); 21 million (25c); 2 million (50c); 2.7 million (75c) and 1 million ($1) stamps printed. That was quite a hefty inventory of stamps back in the day. |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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It also appears as if T.P. & Co. produced a whole series of post cards with a Parcel Post theme, as these illustrations would suggest:  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3216 Posts |
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WT1 - that is GREAT!! And note my card isn't included! Where did you find that graphic? |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
USA
939 Posts |
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ILS, I noticed the name on the first PC as well. Wonder if there was a Tim Mcgraw around and if they might have possibly met as well.
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3216 Posts |
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Those prices are high... there may indeed be a premium, but I don't think $20 is quite right. Hmmm... I just noticed that the dealer is in Harvard MA... I was IN Harvard today! |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 4,399 |
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Posted 02/26/2012 3:55 pm
