1-Cent POSTAGE DUE PENALTY

FOR UNDERPAYMENT

For a thirty-year period -- July 1, 1928, through June 30, 1958 -- if a letter was short paid more than one rate, a 1-cent penalty fee per each short paid rate was added to the postage due amount. (This penalty did not apply to air mail letters).

This January 1958 example is a rare usage of this penalty during the Liberty Series era.  It is a first-class, surface letter franked with three, wet-printed 3c Statue of Liberty sheet stamps, 9-cents total paid.  However, the proper mailing rate for this cover, weighing < 5 oz, was 15-cents (3-cents per oz, rate effective July 6, 1932, through July 31, 1958).

Since only 9-cents was affixed, it was short paid two rates, thus, the 1-cent penalty applied and  it was assessed 8-cents due: 6-cents for unpaid postage (2 oz x 3-cents) plus 1-cent penalty per each short paid rate (2 x 1-cent).

This penalty usage on a letter with Liberty Series stamps affixed was possible for just over four years.

[ Roland Austin Collection ]

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