Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-12-29
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What Becomes Of the Postage stamps
The question g what becomes of all the
pins p is one which hss for a long lime puz-
zled the brains of many anxious inquirers
after knowledge, and Notwithstanding the
humorous reply of some classical wit, that
they fall to the earth and become terra pins,
lhe mystery of the ultimate fate ofthose use
full contrivances remains as far from a salts
factory solution as ever 1t would probably
be less difficult to find an answer to an in
guirya as to what becomes Of the postage
stamps, and yet in view Of the immense
number which are daily produced, issued and
consumed, the subject could hardly fail to
strike any one with taste for Statistics, as a
suggestive one for investigation. It is not
our purpose, to enter upon this task at pres
ent but simply to give our readers a glimpse
convenient ffsEqRdl B Qt Lbs sale Of these
est Postofice, New York Although the
demand for postage stamps is Of course almost
universal, yet in city like this, with its
large and varied population, the individual
consumption is much less evenly distributed
than that of almost any other article in gen.
era use With some, the purchase Of stamps
is al event Of comparative rarity, and an item
of but small importance to their yearly ex-
penses, while with others it is matter Of
daily necessity, and entails an expense which
their annual balance sheet shows TO be no
rihe. To accommodate both these classes Of
purchasers, the department for the sale of
stamps and stamped envelopes at the New
York Office is divided into two sections, in one
{ which all transactions to the amount OF 81
an upwards are carried on, while the other
81 piles the more limited wants Of those who
desire to procure smaller quantities, down to
a single one CENTER
Let US step for a few moments into the first
mentioned Office which is situated at the head
Of the staircase leadingto the entrance to the
Offices Of the Postmaster, Secretary and
Cashier. Alta counter within the enclosed
space formed by high partition stands the
clerk who presides over this department
busiiy employed in dealing o1t to the numer-
Gus customers sheets and portions of sheets of
stamps OF divers colors and bearing different
dcyices, and could we peep behind the parti-
tion, we should see snugly slowed within the
.recesses ofacapaeious salamander," goodly
pile Of bis stock in trade, sufficient one might
think, to supply the needs Of all the letter
writer's OF the city for months. This, how
ever, be Informs us, is but the remains of the
last invoice received from. the Department,
and were it not for the fact that fresh stock
is now on its way, the constant demand
would soon exhaust the supply-thereby
producing 3 public excitement which might
be better imagined than described J
This Office is open from a. m. to p. m.
and the average sales now amount to about
s., 800 perday, and are constantly increas-
Trho I,e -ar-,,I,fso, Of 4bo
by which the prepayment Of all postage,
both on foreign and domestic letters, is OBJ
iged to be made in stamps, has caused great
increase in the sales, as formerly many per-
sons preferred paying their foreign postage !
in money. Until within a short time, the u |
cent stamp was the highest denomination
issued but the large amount which is some
times required for the payment of but one
foreign letter, necessitated the use of those of
higher value, and according %, 80 and 90 |
cent stamps are now sold, making eight diff !
ferent denominations issued by the Depart
menb viz ], 3, 3, 10, II, "a, &c and 80 cents |
or course q end 3 cent stamps are in greatest |
demand, though on "steamer days" the high |
er denominations form large portion Of the
sales. Ia paying large amounts Of postage, |
the number Of 10 and II cent Stamps which !
It was sometimes found necessary to afix for |
the purpose, often increased, by their weight, |
the amount payable, to the extent Of an ad- |
ditienal rate--an objection entirely done 4
away by the use Of the larger denomina- |
tons.
From the opening until the closing hour,
the counter is besieged by stcady stream Of
and g queer customers some Of /
them are, as we may discover by a few min |
utes observation. Here comes one, evidently /
from the rural district" keen, cautious
looking individual, who saunters in, in a
leisurely way, eYidenty determined not TO /
betray, by the exhibition Of undue haste, any /
anxiety to purchase, and unwilling to part
with his money excspt on the most favor ]
able terms, and after all the solemn formali-
ties Of a regular bargain-making. "How |
d 'ye sell stamps@ f1-a ~ -
"That depends upon what kind you want
sir 2" sal.E aso
"WeIl, lets see what kind you've 60"
"Ohes threes fves tens twelves twenty I
fours-thirties and ninetIss5 says the clerk,
with bewildering rapidity, and with an utter
disregard of punctuation.
aHow do you sell your three cent ones ~
{ & aThree cents q piece, Of course" answers
shs official, rather impatisntly, with slight /
suspicion that heis being quizzed p
g Yes, s'pose so-thats yonr retail price +
but you see, want to get a lot Of EN-,
and I'd jest as lief get 'em Of you as anybody
else, Il you'd allow a discount for cash. and