The Eleven-cent Prexie

Fourth class use

The fourth class parcel post rate for one pound sent to Zones 1 and 2 was eight cents from October 1, 1932 until January 1, 1949. Each additional pound was 1.1 cents. Beginning March 26, 1944 a 3% surcharge with a one-cent minimum was imposed.

A fragment of a package sent from New York City to Union City, New Jersey, Zone 1. If it had been sent from 1938 to March 26, 1944 the package would have weighed between two and three pounds (10.2 cents, rounded up,) and if sent between March 25, 1944 and January 1, 1949 it would have weighed between one and two pounds (9.1 + 1 cents, rounded up.)

The basic postage on this package front paid the two-pound Zone 1 fourth class parcel post rate of 9.1 cents plus a one-cent surcharge, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, in August of 1944.

This package was sent from Detroit to Rochester, New York in May of 1939. Zone three postage was nine cents for the first pound and two cents for each additional pound, so the contents must have weighed over a pound, but under or equal to two pounds.

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