The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-22
Useful Postal Information.

postage and mailable matter, should be
preserved for reference. 1t is taken from
| the United States Maa for December
| Books, pamphlets and music can be sent
at third-class rates.
A newspaper is not forwarded in the
mails unless postage is fully prepaid.
The postage on a pair of boots would be
sent at the rate of one cent an ounce.
No valuable package should ever be
mailed unless it is registered. Don't for
get this.
| Aletter-press copy-book with copies of
letters written therein is first-class matter.
Tea, coffee. sugar and kindred articles
can be mailed at the rate of one cent an
ounce.
Clothing is classed as merchandise, and
can be mailed only at rate Of one cent an
ounce.
Insurance policies, whether cancelled or
not. are first-class matter if they contain
any writing.
A book presented for mailing, with a
letter attached to it, would subject the en-
tire package to letter rates.
Wedding cake can only be mailed when
packed in tin or wooden box. Confec-
tioneries the same.
Send no cash money by mail. 1t is much
safer and cheaper in the long run to buy a
money-order or postal note.
Animals, reptiles, live or dead, (not
stuffed insects, except queen bees when
safely securely are excluded from the
mails.
Matter inclosed in sealed envelope.
though the corners may be cut or the ends
notched, is subject to letter rates.
Liquids, poisons, explosives and inflam-
mable articles are not received for mailing.
no matter how carefully wrapped.
If you wanted to send a suit of clothes
by mail which weighed six pounds you
would have to make two packages of it.
Albums, Photographic and autographs.
are classed as merchandise, and postage is
charged at the rate of one cent an ounce.
An unclaimed postal card is not returned
to the writer, even though his address is
given upon it, but is sent to the Dead-let-
ter Office.
Nothing is received for mailing that
weighs over four pounds, except in case of
single book, as, for example, bible, OF
dictionary, history.
Samples OF ores, metals minerals, seeds.
cuttings, bulbs, nuts, etc., are also classed
as merchandise and postage charged at
one centan ounce.
Letter heads, bill heads and envelopes,
blank OF printed, are charged as merchan-
disc, and postage must be paid at the rate
OF one cent an ounce.
A postal card is not mailable with any
writing or printing on the address side,
except the address, nor with anything
pasted or pinned to the other side.
| Every business man should use return
requestenvelopes in all his correspondence.
1t everybody used them the Dead-letter
Office would soon wind up it's business.
Third and fourth-class matter can be
mailed in the same package, providing it
does not exceed four pounds in weight,
but itsubjects the entire package to fourth
class rates.
DON'T forget that all parcels deposited
lou mailing must be so wrapped that they
can be examined without destroying the
wrapper, otherwise letter rates of postage
are charged
The Dead-letter Office is a monument to
the carelessness and stupidity Of the Amer
lean people. The average number of let
tiers received there daily is about $4,000
In sending packages of third or fourth
class, be sure and write your name on it,,
as coming from you, and give your street
and number, so that if it is undelivered it
may be returned to you.
Ribbons, pocket handerchiefs, neckties
gloves, laces, embroideries. dress patterns
corsets, samples of calico or silks and
hosiery, are rated as fourth class. and
postage is charged at one cent an ounce.
In making present of book, it is per-
missable to write an inscription or dedica-
ton upon the cover or one of the blank
leaves, but it must not contain anything
that partakes of personal correspondence.
Written visiting cards are regarded as
first-class matter and subject to letter
rates. Imprinted they can be sent at the
rate of one cent for each two ounces that
is, if the card is Of an embellished design,
Any person who sends money or iewelry
in an unregistered letter, not only runs the
risk of losing his property, but places need
less temptation before persons who might
not otherwise be tempted to commit a
felony.
All manuscript matter designed for pub
LEGATION in books, magazines, periodicals or
newspapers, is subject to letter POSTAGE
unless accompanied by proof sheets of the
same. Manuscript music is rated in the
same manner.
A box with its lid nailed on is held as
being closed against inspection, and is
therefore subject to letter rates. Post
masters have no right to pry open such a
box and then nail it up again. Even if
they had the right to do so. they have not
the time.
Third-class matter embraces such arti-
Giles as books. pamphlets, circulars. en-
cravings, Autographs, newspapers, maya
zines, and all matter of the same general
character, and postage is charged at the
rate of one cent for each two ounces or
fraction thereof.
A tax bill, receipt, an abstract of title.
a power of attorney, a promissory note. a
mortgage. draft OF check, Cancelled
checks, coupons, an invoice bill, a state
ment, a pension youcher,..a telegraphic dis
patch, a bank note, OF any document with
writing upon it is subject to letter rates.
In sending one. two, three OF four arti
Giles of the fourth class, or, in fact, any
number of articles up to four pounds, you
can indicate on such package the names of
the articles inclosed. You can also write
upon or attach to any such articles by tag
or label, a mark OF number, name OF letter,
for purpose of Identification.
Photographs, Photographic or stereoptic
views, reproductions by solar process. en-
velopes (printed OF plain), letterheads, bill
heads, blank cards, business cards, visiting
or playing cards, tags, labels, paper sacks.