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The Kalida Venture
Kalida, Putnam County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Starting July 1st, U.S. letter postage will be charged by weight rather than per piece, with rates of 5 cents for under half an ounce up to 300 miles and 10 cents beyond. Article provides weights of various papers, envelopes, and examples of what can be sent within the limit.
Merged-components note: Merged table of paper weights into the letter postage article as the table provides the supporting data mentioned in the text.
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| Letter-paper, first | variety, | 136 | grains. |
| do | second | do | 134 |
| do | third | do | 131 |
| Foolscap paper, first | do | 172 | |
| do | second | do | 169 |
| do | third | do | 161 |
LETTER POSTAGE.—"On and after, not as from and after" the 1st day of July next, mentioned as a wonderful discovery by some wise-acre editor, all letters going by mail will be charged by weight instead of by the piece, as formerly—a regulation which, to our mind comes much nearer the democratic standard of equality and justice than is generally given us by our law makers. We give below as a matter in which all are concerned, some interesting facts as to the size and quantity of paper which may be used by letter writers:—
"All letters under half an ounce, may be sent three hundred miles for five cents, over that distance for ten cents. A trial of the weight of six varieties of paper, three of foolscap, and two kinds of envelopes, large and small, shows the following result as the weight of each single sheet, on an average of ten sheets of each kind. The paper was all of good quality, and such as we are all used to, for size and weight;—
Small envelope, 4½ grains. Large do. 6½ grains.
Wafers, usual size, one grain. Sealing wax, usual quantity, 5 grains.
The ensuing deductions are based upon the heaviest paper, to keep within the mark. An avoirdupois half-ounce is 216 grains.
We may therefore send as a single letter,
1. One and a half sheet of letter paper, sealed with wax or wafer.
2. One sheet of do. with large or small envelope; wax or wafer.
3. One sheet of foolscap, with small envelope, sealed with wafer.
One sheet of foolscap, with small envelope, sealed with wafer.
4. One sheet of letter paper, with a quarter eagle ($2.50) enclosed, and secured with wax, and the letter sealed with wax.
5. Half a sheet of letter paper; or light foolscap with a half eagle enclosed, secured and sealed with wafers.
6. A sheet of letter paper may contain a dime and a half, or a half sheet may contain a quarter dollar.
7. A sheet of letter-paper may enclose seven bank notes and be sealed with wax; or three bank notes, and the whole in an envelope."
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Domestic News Details
Event Date
1st Day Of July Next
Event Details
New regulation charges letters by weight: under half an ounce for 5 cents up to 300 miles, 10 cents over. Provides weights of letter paper (131-136 grains per sheet), foolscap (161-172 grains), envelopes (4.5-6.5 grains), wafers (1 grain), sealing wax (5 grains). Half ounce is 216 grains. Examples of allowable contents: 1.5 sheets letter paper sealed; one sheet with envelope; foolscap with small envelope; enclosures like $2.50, half eagle, coins, or bank notes within weight limit.