I was trying to find out the year or years for this item and have come up empty. I have to admit I'm not sure what these are called or even if they're collectable at all. The four cent charge would seem low enough for this to be from the thirties possibly? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The date of printing is coded at the top, "8-39-25M" means that 25,000 copies were made in August of 1939.
Typical for a fee of 1 cent to be added to the regular first class rate, thus 3 cents postage + 1 cent fee = 4 cents total paid by the company receiving these envelopes back.
Collectible? Yes, but of modest value, even when postmarked, which would make it better.
Guess: Going by the code top left, I'd suggest 1939 This type of coding on Government stationery of Australia, can indicate date of printing of particular items. Canada I don't know.
These were sent out by companies looking for a reply to some advertising or similar. This was instead of including a prepaid envelope with the original correspondence. They had the great advantage that the company only paid for the envelopes that were returned usually only a few % and not for the others that ended up in the bin.
They were widely used over a considerable period and there are a lot of different types - none of which, as far as I know, have much value.
Quote: Those ridiculous free introductory or subscription type letters that you get in the mail often have a postage-guaranteed return postcard for your convenience. The next one you get, paste it on a brick and drop it in the mailbox. The company is required by law to pay the postage. You can also get rid of all your garbage this way. - Abby Hoffman - "Steal This Book" 1971
This actually worked for a few years, then they got wise and changed the laws. Don
Reminds me of an off-topic but amusing anecdote of a gentleman I knew who was in the military. Him and his friend got stationed in far away provinces. Friend 1 mails a small gift but to be a wiener, charges it COD. Friend 2 pays and it was something mundane. I can't recall but it was a silly gift and he had to pay the charge for it worth more than the item. This ends up going back and forth for a few christmas's with the gifts slowly increasing in both inane-ness and weight until eventually Friend 1 (the one I know) mailed a cinder block. That was the end of that game. Now they simply send a merry xmas text.
Appreciate the replies and yes it was a subscription renewal, I have the contents from the envelope. Does anyone know when Canada Post first offered this service?
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Posted 12/03/2019 3:19 pm
