Old Stamp Combos For Current First Class Mail

Does anyone get creative using up extras and discount postage on outbound mail? Fractional denominations can be a challenge if you want to hit the proper postage on the nose. Recently I've been combining two 21.1 (2150 envelope) with two 7.9 (1615 drum) to reach 58 cents.

I just did one using old postage on a first-class letter. Put on way over what was necessary because I have more postage in boxes than I could use in twelve lifetimes. I used some 29's and 3 cent commemoratives plate blocks. I mix colors and subjects. Clowns and Presidents.

I use Presidents and Clowns myself. I suppose they are interchangeable...

John

Thats so funny.

I just wish the USPS did not stop with their Letter Stamps for rate changes so soon. One could really send a message if it was continued.

Me, I use what ever it takes to hit 58 cents or the amount due on heavier mailings.

I've used the letter stamps to "spell" words. Happy Birthday can sort of be done with H B D, though totalling 73 cents it's more than needed right now. My postmaster must be thrilled, assuming he still bothers to check for proper postage.

I will confess that a few years ago when the first-class letter rate was 50 cents, I once mailed an envelope with five 8.3's and an 8.5, and thought myself incredibly clever.

Alas, my last few lots of discount postage have included very few fractionals, so lately I don't have many chances to show off in that particular way....

When I have dealt with postal clerks who insist on counting the values of every stamp to ensure I have the correct amount as if I was somehow trying to cheat I've gotten back at them by using a mix of stamps with fractions, odd decimal places, letter rate types A through H and even non-denominated stamps like some of the Xmas issues without face values. It works very well. Afterwards, they'll take your word and things move much faster.

I use whatever combination of old stamps gets me to the correct postage and I can fit it on the envelope. Smaller envelopes mean have to use larger denominations, which are also larger in size themselves than stamps from the 30s-60s.

Maybe you guys need a hobby!

Coin collectors don't get to have such fun.

My last batch of discount postage included a bunch of 1 1/2 cent Martha Washingtons. Maybe it's not tough enough for the postal clerks, but I just realized 58 can be made with a block of 13s plus a block of 1 1/2s.

Having to buy a minimum of 500 of each the fruits coils means I have plenty of modern 1/2/3/4/5/10s to use up creatively. I've since learned Maurice will sell less at a time.

If the next first class rate is 60 cents, fans of William Stein's books will be able to use lettered stamps like CDB!

Realistically, very few clerks are going to take the time to add up the stamps. And letters dropped in a blue box will pass through the system to the delivering carrier before they are ever seen as an individual mail piece.

Also, when I am buying postage at 60% face, it is convenient even now to apply three 20-cent stamps. Costs me 36 cents to mail a 58-cent letter! Seldom worth the time to hunt around for the exact change.

John,

You are raining on their parade. Plus, without the exact rate paid, your covers will be of no interest to future postal history buffs.

;)

Basil

At least in the US we can still use the fractional stamps. In the UK they demonetized the 1/2 penny coin, so for stamps that end with a 1/2 P, it doesn't count toward the total.

No - 1/2p stamps still count towards the total on UK mail, eg a 15 1/2p + 14 1/2pm counts as 30p, not 29p.

Humour aside, is that pertinent these days?
To know the correct rate, one has to know the weight / size restrictions?
Virtually unknown these days, without a meter stamp.

5c here in odd oldies, made up the correct weight here (I presume)