½¢ & 1½¢ Postage Rates

Can anyone tell me what the ½¢ and 1½¢ postage rates covered? I assume that when the PO released the stamps in 1925 they had a purpose, such as a discounted rate for bulk mailers or non-profit organizations, but I have been unable to find any articles on-line or on these forums to tell me what it was.

That "Mr. KGB" is a nice site I was not aware of. It answered my question about the 1 1/4 c Gallatin usage.

Thanks, KGB. I don't recall seeing anything about second and third class rates on the USPS site.

See the following for the Presidential Issues:
http://www.rdhinstl.info/prexies/halfcent.htm
http://www.rdhinstl.info/prexies/onehalfcent.htm

Hal

These should also help






Hal
Extract PP356-357 from:
"U.S. International Postal Rates, 1872-1996 Hardcover (c)1996
by Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz & Henry W. Beecher

Just a gentle reminder that authors of reference works deserve credit for what they have done. When you provide a reference, it is good courtesy to state the source.

Please don't be offended at the reminder.

ESSAYK: Thank you for your "gentle reminder" of proper referencing. I may not have been offended as much by your post had you not lacked any appreciation for the time an effort taken to look-up, scan, re-size and post a response to the question. The publication (U.S. International Postal Rates) is clearly shown and easily looked-up -- had you taken the effort. Instead, you'd prefer to "snipe" at my response -- an effort to help someone versus appreciating what was done on their behalf. Next time, try saying "Thank You" first.

Thank you for the edit, Hal.

Thank you Hal, that chart explained it for me. The 1½¢ Harding was issued March 19, 1925 and the rate for the 3rd class domestic went up to 1½¢ on April 15, so it undoubtedly was issued for that rate. The ½¢ Hale was issued April 4th, so it was to be used with a 1¢ stamp. I assumed that the fractional stamps were for a specific rate, but could not find any information other than for first class, post card and air mail rates.

I still use them for postage now, nobody has said not to so I guess its ok

There were no postal rates less than one cent total during the Fourth Bureau Issue period. The 1/2c were not issued for a specific rate; they were issued for add-on purposes. A valid single use of the half-cent Hale issue will involve other stamps (1c or 1/2c) a postal card, or a piece of postal stationary. ½¢ Hale were predominately used on the 3rd Class, Single Piece Rate (< 2 oz.), for Commercial Papers, for FM and Domestic Rates, dependent on the time period. The ½¢ Hale was replaced by the ½¢ Franklin Presidential issue. Fractional rates, above 1c, are extensively seen in second, third and fourth class U.S. Postal Rates. Rates are a great area of study -- my passion. It is why stamps were originally issued -- to pay specific rates.

If you love U.S. postal history, of any period, I strongly suggest you invest in two publications:
"U.S. Domestic Postal Rates, 1872-1999", Rev Second Edition.,© 1999 CAMA Publishing, Portland, OR., 338pps; by Henry W. Beecher& Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz
"U.S. International Postal Rates, 1872-1996",© 1996 CAMA Publishing, Portland, OR., 402pps; by Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz & Henry W. Beecher

If you want some additional fun, try collecting solo and combination (non-multiple) usages of the half-cent postage dues (J68, J69, J79) on cover. They are Scott minimum value as used stamps, but much tougher to find as legit uses on cover than you would think. Not rare by any means, but not common either.

REVENUECOLLECTOR - Great idea! That would make a neat collection and exhibit!

Also, for all things half-cent, I would recommend reading through Clyde Jennings' exhibit "The Half":

http://d2jf3tgwe889fp.cloudfront.ne...Jennings.pdf

Don't forget the 4 1/2 cent in those 1/2 cent wanderings.