US To Australia Postage Rates In 1936

The surface letter rate was 5c in 1936. Can anyone tell me when the 5c rate commenced and when it changed (presume increased)?

5 cent UPU rate went into effect for the colonies on Oct. 1, 1891, 5 cents per half ounce. Though the colonial mail packet rate from SF was 5 cents starting July 1, 1875. The UPU rate finally went to 8 cents on Nov. 1, 1953.

Perfect! Many thanks.

Is there a online reference for this information?

This cover has me confused.



The prepayment is 6c where the required postage was 5c for the first ½oz. Was the step for the next ½oz 5c or something else?

The tax mark encircled 2/20 is a US type, as far as I can tell. I have Leahy's Book of T but cannot find this type in the book. Can someone confirm it is a US type?

The 2d deficiency applied in Australia suggests something less than a 5c US shortfall.

Subsequent half ounces (starting around 1908 but I don't have the book in front of me) were 3 cents.

Thanks again for your prompt reply.

That postage due marking is not a US type, or at least I have never seen it used on US postal history. Although it's not my specialty, I have seen a lot of 20th century US postal history over the years.

The tax mark is likely to be Australian because it was taxed in Australia. Why would the US tax it on departure, or even put on Australian postage dues? Nice cover though, and a tax mark I haven't seen before.

I think it is a US type mark, the 'T' with a fractional marking is recorded in four different types (denominations) in Leahy's 'Book of T' all used in Chicago. This particular mark is not recorded by Leahy. It is definitely not an Australian type.

The US would tax it on departure as an indicator to the receving postal authority that the letter was short paid. Postage due was charged in the receiving country as the addressee of the letter was the one asked to pay the tax.