Treaty Period: Printed Matter
United States 1851 Issue
Rates Effective July 1, 1851 - September 30, 1852
Boston, Massachusetts, January 17, 1852, pair 1¢ 1851 blue Type II pay the printed matter rate to the lines. The 2¢ franking indicates a weight over 1 ounce, but less than 2 ounces for the distance not over 500 miles to the exchange office in Robbinston, Maine; however, the sender may have paid 2¢ thinking that the distance would be calculated to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, rather than the exchange office. The 2¢ franking could also pay the 2¢ rate for distances over 500 miles, but not more than 1,500 miles, for printed matter up to 1 ounce. Rates Effective October 1, 1852 - June 30, 1863 Richmond, Virginia, December 25, 1856, two 1¢ 1851 blue Type II pay the printed matter rate to the lines. The wrapper likely enclosed printed matter weighing over 3 ounces, thus requiring 2¢ postage. Alternatively, the sender may have intended to prepay 2¢ printed matter rate via the Cunard Line to Halifax.