US F-Rate Stamp And Others?

This was in kiloware lately. I had never seen the text only stamp / label before.

Is this a stamp, as in 'in Scott catalogue' or what is it? Are there others of this type? What is with the F Stamp Rate? Are there other letter-denominated rates? Why did they do this lettering?

I didn't search too far on SCF but my searching ability is at a low today. And yes, the poor whale stamp has a crease, makes me sad. Please don't stick your stamps right on the edges of the envelopes. Not necessary. Save Our Stamps! SOS

Yes. "A" through "H" stamps exist and were intentionally non-denominated as the stamps had to go to press before the new postage rates were announced. At first, the non-denominated stamps were only good for domestic mail only but later was good for international mail as well, as non-denominated stamps became acceptable.

Here's a "cheat sheet" from the USPS identifying the non-denominated stamps (and in several cases, denominated stamps of the same design were created afterwards):

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals...00/q604a.pdf

The text stamp shown in your scan, is arguably one of the ugliest issues ever in the US. It equals 4-cents in value, though, and is still valid today for that amount. It is Scott #2521.

Thank you wt1. Nice to know.

You just opened another can of worms,

Now I have another topic for collecting USA stamps.

Thanks
:-)

Heh heh . I had the same though.
You could also try to get a cover with each on it serving proper usage during the period.

I haven't done it yet, but I've been tempted to printout these album pages and start a topical collection of these stamps:

http://stamps.org/userfiles/file/al...ominated.pdf

I'm not sure I like the layout of some of the pages, but it does look like an interesting little project. It would be a nice way to use one's duplicates.

"I haven't done it yet, but I've been tempted to printout these album pages and start a topical collection of these stamps:

http://stamps.org/userfiles/file/al...minated.pdf"

I have printed out these pages, and find that they need a good proof reader. There are some stamps oriented incorrectly, and page 12 - 13 are inconsistent. Page 13, SC 3451 is oriented incorrectly. I'm sure there are others.

If I remember correctly, there was an unusual reason for issuing this odd stamp. There was going to be an increase in the postal rate, but congress did not agree with the rate the post office wanted (I think .30). Congress was more inclined to approve a .29 rate. It was getting close to the "deadline" and congress had not yet approved a specific rate. Of course, when there is a postal rate increase, there is a big and immediate demand for the stamp denomination which, when added to the current rate, would equal the new rate. But since the new rate had not yet been approved, what denomination should the post office print more of? To solve the problem, this stamp was issued. If congress approved of the .29 cent rate, then this stamp would be worth .04 cents. If congree approved the .30 rate, then this stamp would be worth .05 cents.
It proved to be a big headache for postal employees, partuclarly in later months when people would use them for various denominations just to use them up.