Is This Proper Postage For The 1930's

These three covers stood out from all the rest I have from the same time period because they each only had 1 cent postage on them.
The vast majority of my other cards and letters from the same time period all have 3 cents of postage
I did notice that each one of them weren't sealed at the envelope flap, not sure if that makes a difference.
Were these legitamently sent as printed matter which was 1 cent up to 4oz's during this same time period and if so why didn't everyone send them this way at just 1 cent.

Cheers, Bill

Hi Bill

Picture one and two are the same cover...Just saying.

Robert

Yes, you are on the right track. These would have been sent unsealed (at the time of mailing, but might be sealed now) and noting the date, contained Christmas cards.

Thanks Wert, I corrected it above.

John Becker, correct they do contain Xmas cards would this be improper use or was it legitimate and allowed.
During this time period many people sent cards to everyone for everything why would they have not all sent them this way.
It's only 1/3rd the price and at a time when people were still fighting the effects of the depression.

Cheers, Bill

I do not know exact postal regulations in Canada, but I suspect it is nearly identical to ...

In the U.S. these would be "single piece, third class", which would typically be unsealed greeting cards with no additional writing inside except for signature or other very minor note. (a basic greeting card is "printed matter") They are frequently seen with undated cancels. If sealed or containing any significant writing, then it must be uprated to first class.

The basic Canadian printed matter rate was 1¢ from April 1, 1868 to April 1, 1951. On April 2, 1951 it increased to 2¢.

Bill..Don't know if these links will help.

Robert
http://postalhistorycorner.blogspot...es-from.html

https://bnaps.org/ore/willson-post-cards.pdf

Neither link has any direct application to printed matter rates.

Jarnick - good to know the rate period!



Because many mailers wanted to add a personal note/letter inside the card, thus requiring letter rate postage. Certainly some mailers overpaid and some greeting cards slipped through with messages which were not detected.

I had a look in the Canada Postal Guide from 1947 (I suspect that the 1930's would not be too much different) and it gives quite an extensive definition of printed matter (or more precisely third class matter), too much to repeat here. Essentially, it can not contain any written correspondence. Any letter, or anything which contains a letter would not qualify.

Jan