U.S. STAMPLESS PERIOD

Postage Rates

(1791-1855)

(listed by amount)

web page created and maintained by

Glenn A. Estus

A different view of the information

click here for other interesting items in my stampless collection

Do you have a US postage rate from the Federal Post Office stampless period (1791-1855) that you cannot identify. Perhaps the listing below will help. The listing shows all rates from 3c up through $1.00 including multiples of rates (up through multiples of 4).

---I have also included multiples of 5 or more if I have them in my collection.---

For example: You have a stampless cover with a rate of 75c. Looking at the chart below, you can see that it fits into at least 6 different rate categories over the stampless period. By using other information such as distance between the two post offices as well as the date of the cover, you may be able to determine the reason for the 75c being charged.

I have also begun to add some specialized rates such added fees, i.e. ship rates, forwarding etc.

 

*= I have an example in my collection

(I'm always looking to add examples to my collection)


-3¢-

up to 3000 miles-- (prepaid)-- Jun 30, 1851-April 1, 1855*

 

-5¢-

up to 300 miles-- May 1, 1845-Jun 29, 1851*

up to 3000 miles-- (UNpaid)-- Jun 30, 1851-Mar 30, 1855*

 

-6¢-

up to 30 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

up to 30 miles-- May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

up to 3000 miles (prepaid)-- (3¢ x 2) Jun 30, 1851-April 1, 1855*

over 3000 miles (prepaid)-- June 30, 1851-April 1, 1855*

 

-8¢-

30 to 60 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

up to 40 miles-- Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815*

up to 40 miles-- Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

 

-9¢-

not exceeding 3000 miles PREpaid-- (3¢x3) July 1, 1851-Apr 1, 1855*

 

-10¢-

60 to 100 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

40 to 90 miles-- Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815*

40 to 90 mile-- Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816*

30 to 80 miles-- May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

over 300 miles-- May 1, 1845-Jun 30, 1851*

under 300 miles-- (2x5¢) May 1, 1845-June 30, 1851*

over 3000 miles (unpaid)--July 1, 1851-April 1, 1855

over 3000 miles--April 1, 1855-June 30, 1863*

-12¢-

up to 30 miles-- (2x6¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

up to 40 miles-- Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

up to 30 miles-- (2x6¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-12 1/2¢-

100 to 150 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

90 to 150 miles-- Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815*

90 to 150 miles-- Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

80 to 150 miles-- May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

within California Aug 14, 1848-June 30, 1851

 

-15¢-

150 to 200 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

40 to 90 miles-- Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

 

-16¢-

30 to 60 miles-- (2x8¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

up to 40 miles-- (2x8¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

up to 40 miles-- (2x8¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

 

-17¢-

200 to 250 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

150 to 300 miles-- Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815*

150 to 300 miles-- Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816*

 

-18¢-

up to 30 miles-- (3x6¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

up to 30 miles-- (3x6¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845

 

-18 1/2¢-

150-400 miles-- May 1, 1816-Apr 30, 1825

 

-18 3/4¢-

90 to 150 miles-- Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

150-400 miles-- May 1, 1825-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-20¢-

250 to 350 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

60 to 100 miles-- (2x10¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

40 to 90 miles-- (2x10¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

40 to 90 miles-- (2x10¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

300 to 500 miles-- Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815*

300 to 500 miles-- Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

30 to 80 miles-- (2x10¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-22¢-

350 to 450 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

 

-24¢-

up to 30 miles-- (4x6¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

30 to 60 miles-- (3x8¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

up to 40 miles-- (3x8¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815*

up to 40 miles-- (3x8¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

up to 40 miles-- (2x12¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

up to 30 miles-- (4x6¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-25¢-

over 450 miles-- Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

100 to 150 miles-- (2x12.5¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

over 500 miles-- Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

over 500 miles-- Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

90-150 miles-- (2x12.5¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

over 400 miles-- May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

80 to 150 miles--(2x12.5¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-25 1/2¢-

150 to 300 miles-- Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

 

-26¢-

up to 30 miles-- (4x6¢ plus 2¢ ship) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-28 1/2-

May 1, 1816-April 30, 1825 (18 1/2c plus 10c forwarding)*

 

-30¢-

60 to 100 miles-- (3x10¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

150 to 200 miles-- (2x15¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

40 to 90 miles-- (3x10¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

40 to 90 miles-- (3x10¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

40 to 90 miles--(2x15¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

300-500 miles-- Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

30 to 80 miles--(3x10¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-32¢-

30 to 60 miles-- (4x8¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

up to 40 miles-- (4x8¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

up to 40 miles-- (4x8¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

 

-34¢-

200 to 250 miles-- (2x17¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

150 to 300 miles-- (2x17¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815*

150 to 300 miles-- (2x17¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

 

-36¢-

up to 40 miles-- (3x12¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

 

-37¢-

150-400 miles-- (2x18.5¢) May 1, 1816-Apr 30, 1825

 

-37 1/2¢-

100 to 150 miles-- (3x12.5¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

over 500 miles-- Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

90 to 150 miles-- (3cx12.5¢) March 2, 1799-January 31, 1815*

90 to 150 miles-- (3x12.5¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

80 to 150 miles-- (3x12.5¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845

150-400 miles-- (2x18.75¢) May 1, 1825-Jun 30, 1845

90 to 150 miles-- (2x18.75¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

 

-40¢-

60 to 100 miles-- (4x10¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

250 to 350 miles-- (2x20¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

40 to 90 miles-- (4x10¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

40 to 90 miles-- Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

300 to 500 miles-- (2x20¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

300 to 500 miles-- (2x20¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

30 to 80 miles-- (4x10¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

to/from the US Pacific Coast-- Jul 1, 1847--June 30, 1851*

to/from Oregon-- Jul 1, 1847--June 30, 1851

 

-42¢-

up to 30 miles-- (7x6¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-43 3/4c-

May 1, 1825-June 30, 1845 (25c plus 18 3/4c forwarding)*

 

-44¢-

350 to 450 miles-- (2x22¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

 

-45¢-

150 to 200 miles-- (3x15¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

40 to 90 miles-- (3x15¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

July 1, 1847-June 30, 1851 (40c plus 5c forwarding)*

 

 

-48¢-

up to 40 miles-- (4x12¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

up to 30 miles-- (7x6¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-50¢-

100 to 150 miles-- (4x12.5¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

over 450 miles-- (2x25¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

90-150 miles-- (4x12.5¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

over 500 miles-- (2x25¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

over 500 miles-- (2x25¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

30 to 80 miles-- (5x10¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

80 to 150 miles--(4x12.5¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

over 400 miles--(2x25¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-51¢-

200 to 250 miles-- (3x17¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

150 to 300 miles-- (2x25.5¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

150 to 300 miles-- (3x17¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

150 to 300 miles-- (3x17¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

 

-52¢-

over 400 miles--(2x25¢ plus 2c ship rate) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-55 1/2¢-

150-400 miles--(3x18.5¢) May 1, 1816-Apr 30, 1825*

 

-56 1/4¢-

90 to 150 miles-- (3x18.75¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

150-400 miles-- (3x18.75¢) May 1, 1825-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-60¢-

150 to 200 miles-- (4x15¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

250 to 350 miles-- (3x20¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

40 to 90 miles-- (4x15¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

300-500 miles-- (2x30¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

300 to 500 miles-- (3x20¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

300 to 500 miles-- (3x20¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

30 to 80 miles-- (6x10¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

over 300 miles--(6x10¢) July 1, 1845-June 30, 1851*

 

62 1/2¢

80-150 miles-- (5x12.5¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-66¢-

350 to 450 miles-- (3x22¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

 

-68¢-

200 to 250 miles-- (4x17¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

150 to 300 miles-- (4x17¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

150 to 300 miles-- (4x17¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

 

-70¢-

350 to 450 miles-- (3x22¢ plus 4c ship fee) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799*

 

-74¢-

150-400 miles--(4x18.5¢) May 1, 1816-Apr 30, 1825

 

-75¢-

over 450 miles-- (3x25¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

90 to 150 miles-- (4x18.75¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

over 500 miles-- (2x37.5¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816

over 500 miles-- (3x25¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

over 500 miles-- (3x25¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

150-400 miles--(4x18.75¢) May 1, 1825-Jun 30, 1845*

over 400 miles--(3x25¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-76 1/2¢-

150 to 300 miles-- (3x25.5¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

 

-77¢-

over 400 miles-- (3x25¢ plus 2¢ ship) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-80¢-

250 to 350 miles-- (4x20¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

300 to 500 miles-- (4x20¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

300 to 500 miles-- (4x20¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

 

-87 1/2¢-

80 to 150 miles-- (7x12.5¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-88¢-

350 to 450 miles-- (4x22¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

 

-90¢-

300-500 miles-- (3x30¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

 

-93 3/4¢-

150-400miles-- (5x18.75¢) May 1, 1825-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$1.00-

over 450 miles-- (4x25¢) Jun 1, 1792-Mar 1, 1799

over 500 miles-- (4x25¢) Mar 2, 1799-Jan 31, 1815

over 500 miles-- (4x25¢) Mar 31, 1816-Apr 30, 1816

80-150 miles-- (8x12.5¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

over 400 miles-- (4x25¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845

 

-$1.02-

150-300 miles--(4x25.5¢) Feb 1, 1815-Mar 30, 1816*

 

-$1.11-

150-400 miles--(6x18.5¢) May 1, 1816-Apr 30, 1825*

 

-$1.12 1/2-

150-400miles-- (6x18.75¢) May 1, 1825-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$1.31 1/4-

150-400 miles-- (7x18.75¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$1.37 1/2-

80-150 miles-- (11x12.5¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$1.50-

Over 400 miles--(6x25¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$1.87 1/2-

150-400 miles-- (10x18.75¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$2.00-

30-80 miles-- (20x10¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$2.25-

Over 400 miles--(9x25¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$2.75

Over 400 miles--(11x25¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

-$5.00-

Over 400 miles--(20x25¢) May 1, 1816-Jun 30, 1845*

 

* = I have an example in my collection

 

page last updated July 26, 2007