Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Thanks.
Peter
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From DMM 604:
" 2.3.3 Validity of Postal Stationery
All stamped envelopes, stamped cards (formerly called “postal cardsâ€), and aerogrammes issued by the United States since 1873 are valid for postage from any point in the United States or from any other place where U.S. domestic mail service operates, under the same conditions as for postage stamps in "
Yes, as long as they are not service inscribed for bulk rate, pre-sort..., they can still be used by the general public. Also, they may NOT be cut from the envelope and affixed to your own envelope.
However, make sure the envelope is tagged (often just a small bar next to the stamp). If not, then make sure that at least one of the additional stamps you stick on is tagged. Otherwise, they will have to manually examine your envelope because it will get kicked out of the machinery.
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Thanks Kim!
You have earned the moniker "Kimpaedia"!
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I believe some of the older U.S. postal cards, while still all valid postage, do not meet today's minimum dimensions for postcards. So, you have to be careful when using up those for your Christmas greetings. Uprating to today's postcard rate will not suffice. Letter rate applies. Give it a try if the USPS catches this. Some of our postal historians would probably love to get such postage due Christmas card in the mail. Strange folk we are 
.
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Arno's correct. The smaller-sized postal cards will be rejected if caught by USPS, but there are plenty of business reply post cards that are smaller that are used today. Give it a shot. Just use the correct postage.
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I'm thinking the postcards will make good holiday greetings, especially to collectors.
I'll use the stamped envelopes for shipping purchases. Trouble is, most of them are less than 20c denomination, so I'll have to add enough postage to get it up to 66c for 1 oz.
Thanks again for the advice Arno and Michael.
Peter
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You just need to add a 46 cent stamp, if space is a problem. Use the Harry Potter stamps. Will make a great curio on holiday mail.
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Ordinarily Michael, but I put a stiff piece of cardboard in all my mailings, so I'll need enough to make it 66c, which is 46c + 20c for non-machinable.
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10:11:56pm
Peter
I have been sending and receiving letters with cardboard stiffeners for years without paying a premium. I believe the "non-machinable" matter referred to would be "unbendable" matter such as metal or plastic. Cardboard stiffeners (as long as it is not overdone - hence the 1/4" thickness rule) still permit the letter to go through the cancelling machine.
Bobby
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Peter, I misread your post. I thought it read that the stationary items are franked with 20 cents already. Not "under 20 cents".
Bobby, there also is a flexibility rule. Hold the mail piece lengthwise with 2/3 sticking out from a table edge and press down. If the mailpiece flexes a few inches down, it is machinable. If it doesn't, then you have (are supposed to) to pay the non-machinable rate.
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06:41:51am
Good to know, Michael. Now I know how to test my mailings rather than guess whether I need the extra postage or not. I primarily use old manila folders as stiffeners, and they are fairly flexible while providing good protection for stamps.
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Thanks Bobby and Michael. Bobby, I use the "Michael rule" above, and just as a precaution, add the 20c for extra postage.
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I use manila folders for stiffeners as well. I have never had any problem sending packages with them at the machinable rate.
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10:42:58am
I have some slightly damaged (corner bends, small tears, stained backs, etc.) postal stationery, mostly pre-stamped envelopes. Can I use them for postage today? If they can be used, is there an "age limit" for these types of items used for postage today?
Thanks.
Peter
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re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
From DMM 604:
" 2.3.3 Validity of Postal Stationery
All stamped envelopes, stamped cards (formerly called “postal cardsâ€), and aerogrammes issued by the United States since 1873 are valid for postage from any point in the United States or from any other place where U.S. domestic mail service operates, under the same conditions as for postage stamps in "
Yes, as long as they are not service inscribed for bulk rate, pre-sort..., they can still be used by the general public. Also, they may NOT be cut from the envelope and affixed to your own envelope.
However, make sure the envelope is tagged (often just a small bar next to the stamp). If not, then make sure that at least one of the additional stamps you stick on is tagged. Otherwise, they will have to manually examine your envelope because it will get kicked out of the machinery.
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11:58:06am
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
Thanks Kim!
You have earned the moniker "Kimpaedia"!
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this post
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
I believe some of the older U.S. postal cards, while still all valid postage, do not meet today's minimum dimensions for postcards. So, you have to be careful when using up those for your Christmas greetings. Uprating to today's postcard rate will not suffice. Letter rate applies. Give it a try if the USPS catches this. Some of our postal historians would probably love to get such postage due Christmas card in the mail. Strange folk we are .
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08:13:38pm
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
Arno's correct. The smaller-sized postal cards will be rejected if caught by USPS, but there are plenty of business reply post cards that are smaller that are used today. Give it a shot. Just use the correct postage.
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09:42:24pm
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
I'm thinking the postcards will make good holiday greetings, especially to collectors.
I'll use the stamped envelopes for shipping purchases. Trouble is, most of them are less than 20c denomination, so I'll have to add enough postage to get it up to 66c for 1 oz.
Thanks again for the advice Arno and Michael.
Peter
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06:38:21pm
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
You just need to add a 46 cent stamp, if space is a problem. Use the Harry Potter stamps. Will make a great curio on holiday mail.
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10:01:55pm
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
Ordinarily Michael, but I put a stiff piece of cardboard in all my mailings, so I'll need enough to make it 66c, which is 46c + 20c for non-machinable.
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
01 Dec 2013
10:11:56pm
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
Peter
I have been sending and receiving letters with cardboard stiffeners for years without paying a premium. I believe the "non-machinable" matter referred to would be "unbendable" matter such as metal or plastic. Cardboard stiffeners (as long as it is not overdone - hence the 1/4" thickness rule) still permit the letter to go through the cancelling machine.
Bobby
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12:24:33am
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
Peter, I misread your post. I thought it read that the stationary items are franked with 20 cents already. Not "under 20 cents".
Bobby, there also is a flexibility rule. Hold the mail piece lengthwise with 2/3 sticking out from a table edge and press down. If the mailpiece flexes a few inches down, it is machinable. If it doesn't, then you have (are supposed to) to pay the non-machinable rate.
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
02 Dec 2013
06:41:51am
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
Good to know, Michael. Now I know how to test my mailings rather than guess whether I need the extra postage or not. I primarily use old manila folders as stiffeners, and they are fairly flexible while providing good protection for stamps.
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08:16:32am
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
Thanks Bobby and Michael. Bobby, I use the "Michael rule" above, and just as a precaution, add the 20c for extra postage.
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11:38:19am
re: Can older postal stationery be used for postage today?
I use manila folders for stiffeners as well. I have never had any problem sending packages with them at the machinable rate.
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