Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-06
Stamps in Book Form May be Had
by That Time.
BOOKS CONTAIN IL, "a and As STAMPS
Each Book Will be Sold at an Advance
of but One Cent Over Its Stamp
value-Will be Interleaved
with Parafine Paper

AhG oUUuulWd DOSUOIlSC Is Ill IeCcIpL
OF the postoffice bulletin containing
the information that stamps in books
may be had about May 1. The books
will be made in three sizes-one book
OF twelve 2-cent stamps, one book of
twenty-four 2-cent stamps, and one
book of forty-eight 2-cent stamps, to
be sold at 25, 40 and 81 cents respect
lively, an advance of 1 cent over the
stamp value of each book to cover the
cost of the, binding. The books will be
interleaved with sheets of paraffine pa
per to prevent premature adhesion, and
the sheets will be the size of six
stamps making it convenient TO carry
in the pocket. This is a convenience
long desired by many people, who will
cheerfuily pay the additional cent ex-
pense to prevent the loss OF stamps
caused by the heat of the body soften
ing the adhesive mixture on the stamps
thus making them liable to stick to-
gether. Many times the expenditure
of the extra cent would more than pay
Tor this reason. Edwin c. Madden,
third assistant postmaster general. is
RESPONSIBLE for the innovation which
promises to be the most popular thing
connected with his administration.
For q long time the Office of the third
assistant postmaster general, which
has charge of postage stamps, has
been considering a means whereby the
great annoyance OF stamps stuck to-
gether could be overcome. Shortly af-
ter General Madden came into office
this subject was called to his attention,
and, realizing its Importance to the
people, he proceeded to perfect his
plans. He thought a modest cover of
thick paper, with alternating leaves Of
stamps and parafine paper, would ans
wer all requirements. Since that time
the details have been slightly changed
SO as to permit printing on the cover
of the book a succinct statement of the
postal rates in the United States and
foreign countries.
As has been stated an advance OF
cent on each book is all that will be
charged the general public, and if one
tenth OF the stamps now sold in loose
packages are distributed in book form
the government will realize hand
some profit on the Investment. The
government will pay So a thousand for
these books, and they will be sold for
$50 thousand, in advance, of course,
of the face value of the stamps they
contain. 1t is believed the book
containing "a cents in stamps and
costing rs cents will be the most pop
ular.
It is the intention of the department.
to add to the details of the book as the
necessity arises. The postoffice Off
Gals are confident that the stamp
books will become popular, and they
believe much time will be saved in the
handling OF stamps at the different
postoffices.
| The postoffice department has been
receiving complaints and inquiries for
years concerning stamps rendered use
less by sticking together and in the
summer time the complaints run up
| into many hundreds a day. With the
use of these stamp books it is believed
much OF this annoyance will be over
come, for with the paraffihe sheets be-
tween the stamps sticking is impossi-
BILE. The addition of the postal inform
alton on the cover of the book prom
Uses to be desirable feature, for there
are few people who are fully acquaint-
ed with the postal rates of the United
States.
| When the matter was presented to
| Postmaster General Smith he took a
keen interest in the subject and
promptly approved it, with the result
that Ottumwa people in common with
those of every other place where there
is postoffice may purchase the con-
venience if they SO desire.