The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-04-19
THE NEW POSTAL CARD.

The Third Assistant Postmaster General,
Z. w. Barber, has given notice that the
necessary appropriation having been made
for the purpose, the Department will, on
the LIST of May next, commence the issue
to Postmasters of the postal cards author
lied by the act Of June Sth, 1871.
The card adopted is 5! inches in length,
and three inches in width, and is made of
good stiff paper water marked, with the
initials L. S. P. 0. D. in monogram. The
face of the card is engraved, surrounded
by border of scroll work ! of an inch in
width. The one cent stamp printed on
the upper right hand corner is from pro-
file bust of the Goddess of Liberty, look
ing to the left, and surrounded by lathe
work border with the words United
States Postage inscribed above, and g one
cent" below.
On the upper left hand corner are the
words, I" United States postal card, with
directions to "write the address only on
this side-the message on the other"
Underneath, and occupying the lower half
of the card, are ruled lines Oh which to
write the address, the top line being pre-
fixed with the word "To-
The back of the card intended for the
communication is entirely plain, being de
void even of ruled lines. In color the body
of the card is light cream, the printing vel
vet brown. No variation in size, shape,
color or any other particular will be made
from the regular style to accommodate
special cases, nor will the Department do
any printing on the cards, beyond the en-
craving specified in the description. Post
al cards will be sold for one cent each,
neither more nor less. whether in large
quantities OF small. The object of the
postal card is to facilitate letter correspond
ence and provide for the transmission
through the mails, at a reduced rate OF
postage, of short communications, either
printed or written in pencil or ink. They
may, therefore, be used for orders, invita-
tons, notices, receipts, Acknowledgements,
and other requirements of business and
social life and the matter desired to be
conveyed may be either in writing OF in
print, or partially in both. In their treat
ment as mail matter they are to be regard
ed by postmasters the some as sealed
letters and not as printed matter, except
that in no case will unclaimed cards be sent
to the Dead Letter Office.
An ordinary printed business care may
be sent through the mails when prepaid by
a one cent postage stamp attached, but
such card must contain absolutely no
written matter except the address; other
wise it will be treated as not fully prepaid,
and refused admission in the mails.
All cards different from those herein
described, bearing embossed or printed
postage stamps, and purportiug to be
United States postal cards, are counterfeit,
and the manufacturer of such cards, or the
attempt to use the same, will subject the
offender to fine OF $500, and imprison
ment for five years. (Sec. IFS, Postal
Code.)
Postmasters will not, under any circum-
stances, be permitted to reduce or exchange
postal cards that may be misdirected, spoil
ed in printing, or otherwise rendered unfit
for use, in the hands Of private holders.
The Department will not furnish less
than 500 cards on the order of a postmaster.
Individuals desiring postal cards will pur
chase them of postmaster, as in no case
can they obtain them upon direct applca-
lion to the Department..