The period between 1792 and 1855 is called the "Stampless Era" in U.S. Postal History.
Postage Stamps were not issued by the United States government
until 1847. Using postage stamps on letters did not become mandatory
until after 1855. The charts below list the major domestic postage
rates structure in the United States during that time period.
Until 1847, postage was charged by the number of sheets or enclosures
as well as the distance to be traveled. For example a letter in 1840
going less than 30 miles would be charged 6c for each sheet and/or
enclosure. Therefore, a letter containing 3 banknotes would be
charged 24c to go between Westport, N.Y. and Keeseville, N.Y. while a
single sheet letter for the same distance would be charged only
6c.
The same letter with enclosures traveling between Westport and Albany
would have cost 50c.
(need) = I need an example for my collection
The following information is based on American Stampless Cover Catalog, Volumn 1, 1997.
Click on the highlighted links below to see examples of that rate (including a few multple rates). The link will lead you from this web location.
Act of February 20, 1792:
(effective June 1, 1792)
- 6c less than 30 miles
- 8c 30-60 miles (need)
- 10c 60-100 miles (need)
- 12 1/2c 100-150 miles
- 15c 150-200 miles
- 17c 200-250 miles (need)
- 20c 250-350 miles (need)
- 22c 350-450 miles
- 25c more than 450 miles
Act of May 8, 1794:
(effective June 1, 1794)
- 1c drop letters (letters not leaving the local post office) (need)
- According to information published in THE CHRONICLE OF THE U.S. CLASSIC POSTAL ISSUES this is not really a rate, but a "emolument" (tip) given directly to the postmaster (Chronicle 200, Nov. 2003)
Act effective March 2, 1799
(effective ????)
- 8c less than 40 miles
- 10c 40-90 miles
- 12 1/2c 90-150 miles
- 17c 150-300 miles
- 20c 300-500 miles
- 25c more than 500 miles (need)
Act of December 23, 1814 (click here to see a copy of the Post Office Notice)
[effective February 1, 1815 (War Rate)]
This rate imposed a 50% surcharge on all 1799 rates.
- 1 1/2c Drop letter (used at a few post offices)
- since this was not a rate, but rather an "emolument" (see above), it should not have been increased by 50%. Dr. Vernon R. Morris in his article "What is a 'Drop Letter' and What is a "Drop Dead Letter'?" says that at least 9 covers are known showing a 1 1/2c rate. (The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues, Nov. 2003, page 249)
- 12c less than 40 miles
- 15c 40-90 miles (need)
- 18 3/4c 90-150 miles
- 25 1/2c 150-300 miles
- 30c 300-500 miles
- 37 1/2c more than 500 miles
Act of February 1, 1816
(effective March 31, 1816) (Restored Rates of 1799)
This rate period last only 1 month and is one of the most difficult
periods to find examples from
- 8c less than 40 miles (need)
- 10c 40-90 miles
- 12 1/2c 90-150 miles (need)
- 17c 150-300 miles
- 20c 300-500 miles (need)
- 25c more than 500 miles (need)
Act of April 9, 1816
(effective May 1, 1816)
- 1c Drop Letter
- 6c less than 30 miles
note: in some sections of the country (particularily the South) the rate charged was 6 1/4c
- 10c 30-80 miles
- 12 1/2c 80-150 miles
- 18 1/2c 150-400 miles
- 25c more than 400 miles
Act of March 3, 1825
effective May 1, 1825
- 18 3/4c 150-400 miles
- note: During the early 1800's Spanish Currency circulated freely in the US. 1 Spanish Real was equal to $1.00 (US). A Real could be divided into 8 bits. 1 bit was equal to 12 1/2c US...2 bits was equal to 25c. The 18 3/4c rate fit more easily into this scheme than the previous 18 1/2c rate: 1 bit (12 1/2c) plus 1/2 bit (6 1/4c) = 1 1/2 bits or 18 3/4c.
Act of March 3, 1845
(effective May 1, 1845)
Act of March 3, 1847
(effective July 1, 1847)
Act of August 14, 1848
Act of March 3, 1851
effective July 1, 1851
- $0.03 less than 3000 miles (prepaid)
- $0.05 less than 3000 miles (unpaid)
- $0.06 more than 3000 miles (prepaid)
- $0.10 more than 3000 miles (unpaid) (need)
Act of March 3, 1855
effective April 1, 1855
page modified April 14, 2005
