Many postal customers overpay for postage when a first-class letter or card exceeds the 1 ounce weight limit for a 44-cent first-class postage stamp. In many cases the customer will affix a second 44-cent stamp to the envelope, thereby overpaying for postage by as much as $0.27.
The U.S. Postal Service has attempted to alleviate this overpayment problem by issuing stamps with a face value matching the U.S. postage stamps price for higher-weight letters.
What are the Postal Rates for First-Class Letters?
According to the USPS web site, postage rates for first-class letters are based on weight and size. First-class letters must be rectangular with the address parallel to the longer side of the envelope. The envelope must be at least 3 1/2 inches high, 5 inches long, and .007 inch thick. The envelope must be no more than 6 1/8 inches high, 11 1/2 inches long, and 1/4 inch thick.
- 1 ounce - $0.44
- 2 ounce - $0.61
- 3 ounce - $0.78
- 3.5 ounce - $0.95
First-class letters may not weigh more than 3.5 ounces. For the purpose of postage stamp prices, letters heavier than 3.5 ounces are considered packages or large envelopes.
Richard Wright Literary Arts Stamp
A portrait of author Richard Wright (1909-1960) appears on the 25th commemorative stamp in the Literary Arts series of commemorative stamps. Wright is best remembered for his novel, Native Son (1940) and his autobiography, Black Boy (1945), Wright was also an employee of the U.S. Postal Service from 1927 to 1930.
The artwork on the 61-cent, 2-ounce Wright stamp was created by U.S. Stamps artist Kadir Nelson from a circa 1945 photograph.
The Wedding Cake Stamp
The 2-ounce Wedding Cake stamp is a definitive stamp that features a photograph of a three-tier wedding cake decorated with white flowers, green leaves, and green stems. The photograph was taken by Renee Comet.
The 61-cent Wedding Cake stamp is ideal for mailing wedding invitations that weigh between 1 and 2 ounces.
Mary Lasker Distinguished Americans Stamp
The life of Mary Lasker (1900-1994) is celebrated on the latest Distinguished Americans stamp. Lasker, a philanthropist and activist, is best known for striving to increase funding for medical research and for her work toward urban beautification.
United States stamps artist Mark Summers based his portrait of Mary Lasker on an undated photograph.
The 78-cent Lasker stamp is designed for use on 3-ounce letters and cards.
Monarch Butterfly Stamp
The USPS has also issued the first in a series of stamps to aide consumers in applying postage to non-machinable greeting cards. The 64-cent Monarch Butterfly stamp was issued in May, 2010.
The USPS hopes the new Monarch Butterfly stamp, along with the cooperation of greeting card manufacturers, will help customers to apply the proper postage to odd-shaped or rigid cards.
Ordering USPS First-Day Covers
For collectors of first-day covers, the Stamp Fulfillment Services department of the USPS offers first-day covers of each higher rate stamp. The first-day covers are postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. These covers can be found in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
- Information Fulfillment
- Dept. #6270
- U.S. Postal Service
- PO Box 219014
- Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
For those who prefer to buy stamps online, all new stamps and first-day covers may be purchased at The Postal Store.
Postage Rate Increase in 2011
In 2011, postal rates will increase. It is expected that new higher-rate stamps reflecting the postage rate increase will be issued in 2011. New first-class Forever postage stamps purchased prior to the increase can be used for mailing one-ounce letters after the rate change takes effect.
