Newbie Question On Postage Due Bills

It was bestowed on me decades ago. Rather than fight it, I just went with it. Only after I registered on SCF did I see your PDG name. Like minds....




I don't know what the forum user name rules are, but it would not hurt sending a message to staff and ask about the change.

I did join today, now I'm just trying to learn my way around their site to access information.

Congratulations on joining the APS.

Now you need a copy of this as a start for your parcel post information:

U.S. Parcel Post A Postal History By Henry M. Gobie 241pp. Published 1979

Can be found for under $30 with shipping. There is one for $25.37 (includes shipping) on ebay right now.

The has the best concentration of PP/PPD info in one place.

Edited to prove English is my first language.

Absolutely! In fact when I was on the APS site earlier, I typed in "U.S. Parcel Post" in the search box and this exact book and author came up.

Edit: Just bought that book!

First, I see you purchased the copy on ebay I mentioned, correct?

Now for a non-postage due Thanksgiving treat I purchased on Thanksgiving Day.:



Now when Henry's book arrives you too can determine that the above is a Zone 5 (692 miles), over 4 up to 5 pound (9cents 1st plus 4x 7 cent each additional) parcel sent during the period, Jan. 1, 1913 through December 31, 1913.

Now if usages are not your cup of tea, that is fine too collecting the stamps themselves is fun too. This of course shows precanceled stamps. Perfinned stamp are out there as well.

I suggest your purchase the U. S. Domestic Postage Rates, 1872-2011 - Third Edition by Henry W. Beecher, Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz published and sold by the APS. You will need that if you are collecting both parcel post or postage due.

Edit, yes the oval 5 marking was MW's indication of zone. which ran from about 600-1000 miles distance. At the edges of each zone, there is a slight +/- distance involved when actually calculating the zone. The zones are map quadrant based where is any portions of the quadrant must be at 600 or more miles away and if any portion is within 1000 miles, then the entire quadrant is consider within 1000 miles.

Yes, I was able to get the copy you mentioned to me!

Currently, I'm just working on a nice used set of Q1-Q12, I'm just lacking the last three I believe. I could have just bought the complete set at once and saved a little money probably, but I have been buying one at a time, that way I can be more selective about the eye appeal of each stamp, nice perfs, centering, with light cancels that are not obtrusive to the design, and clean reverses.

I also want to get the set of PPD's and then work my way into the Postage Dues. I don't intend to limit myself to just single used stamps though, because I do have an interest in these same stamps on covers and other usage, like the one you just bought. I have to say though, at this point, and being new to all of this, I have to restrain myself from getting too carried away with just buying, I know I need to arm myself with knowledge, so I appreciate you suggesting books that will help me along with that. I'm also really fortunate to have someone here who has generously offered to help, because the questions will be coming!

You are welcome and I am far from the only person here at SCF who willingly provides answers to questions. There are many.

Clean appealing used sets do take time to assemble. Be sure to look for and include the dot in the right tail of the 4 cent. That is explained in one of the SCF links I provided. Then when you have it as part of your set, you can astound fellow collectors with your knowledge. Be quick with it or they may flee.

I will say this just in case you ever think about collecting used on cover, tag, wrapper or piece, if you find a $1, 75 cent or 50 cent in your price range buy it. Those are the key stamps in the order of current market scarcity, least to most. Same applies to the JQ-5, 25 cent PPPD stamp. It fall in line somewhere with the first three. If you want to see a JQ-5 cover there is one right now on ebay which has been cycling fora handful of years (1927 JQ5 25 cent parcel post due LaPorte IN). I am not saying to pay the asking price to own it, only there is one to see which is not in the Gobie book. It is a so-called late usage being used in 1927. Most specialists look for item in the date range mentioned in Scott, 1913-1925. Although the 75 red and 25 green were still being sold after 1925 by the USPOD Philatelic Branch.

For that item, return postage due was 1.5 cents per piece with a total of 60 piece being returned postage due in one stack (1.5 cents x 60 = 30 cents) with the top piece on the stack getting all of the postage due stamps affixed. Here there was enough room to record the transaction without going to one of the bulk postage due forms which started this thread of yours.

Yes I saw that one!




Oh well, I was thinking it would be nice to someday have a PPD used on an envelope like that, but that was before I knew what they sell for.

Like most things, there are a ranges of prices to be found. But even with the 4 values I mentioned, surprises occur. My very first 50 cent usage was had for about $90 with three payments, immediate, 30 and 60 days.

If you have a Scott US Specialized Catalog, on cover prices are listed. That said, the pair of 15 cent, etc. shown earlier in this thread set me back less than $35 including 8.25% sales tax and prorated shipping (it was part of several items).

When I have a bit more time, I will show you an example which sold for over $100 with all bidders knowing a stamp was missing from the tag.

As to the 25 cent PPPD, usages can be had for under $200 even under a $100 and on the other end of the scale, well over $6250 (hammer price Lot 1014 of the Ward Sale linked below).

There are several interesting auction catalogs for Parcel Post, the Doolittle collection sale, The Merle Bothamley collections sold by Shreves Philatelic Galleries including stamps covers and essays and proofs. That occurred 2005 +/- 3 years. As probably the best catalog, without essay and proof material, the Ward Sale ( https://kelleherstampassets.s3.us-e...gPDF/734.pdf ) and PRs, ( https://kelleherstampassets.s3.us-e...realized.pdf ) will make you eyes water.

That's just sick.

And you can't even see the material in the bulk lots which alone would make most standup and salute. By the way, that was put together by a seasonal union laborer over a long period of years.

Well, I was a union steamfitter for 30 years, and was a coin collector during all that time. Only now at 67 years old am I getting into stamps.