The Small Queens

The Main Rates - A Short Guide

As a rule of thumb, all letter rates were per half ounce or part thereof until May 1889 when the domestic rate and that to the United States were increased to one ounce or part thereof. Until October 1, 1875 while it was mandatory to prepay registration fees, it was required neither to pay postage with the use of  stamps, nor indeed to prepay postage at all, though that failure cost the recipient 5˘ instead of 3˘ had the sender forked out the cash.

Half Cent Rates

One Cent Rates  

Two Cents Rates

Three Cents Rates

Five Cents Rates

Six Cents Rates  

Eight Cents Rates

Ten Cents Rates

Finally there was a bulk printed matter rate in force  from October 1, 1875 of 1˘ per pound or part thereof. All stamps other than the Half Cent on its own can be found on receipts paying this rate.