Text Box: Table VIII.--THIRD-CLASS MAIL 1 1879-1955
Text Box: Dots (...) = Absence of rate. Dashes (---) = Continuance of rate.
Classification 1879 1925 1926 1928 1949 1952 1955
Piece mailings:
2 cents first 2
      Circulars, miscellaneous printed mat- 1 cent per 2 1 1/2 cents per 2 (---) (---)    ounces, 1 cent (---) 2  cents first 2
        ter, and merchandise (2)    ounces     ounces    additional     ounces, 1 cent
   ounce.     additional ounce
       Books, catalogs, seeds, cuttings, etc. (3) 1 cents per 2
   ounces. (4) (----) (---) (---) 1 1/2 cents per 2 2 cents first 2 2 cents first 2
   ounces.    ounces, 1 1/2 cents    ounces. 1 1/2 cents
   each additional    each additional 2
   2 ounces    ounces.
       Hotel and steamship keys ... ... 5 cents per 2 (---) (---) (---) 5 cents each
   ounces.    ounces. (8)
Odd sizes and shapes (minimum per
      piece). ... ... ... ... 3 cents (---) 3 cents
Bulk mailings: (6)
      Circulars and misc. printed matter ... ... ... 12 cents per 14 cents per (---) 14 cents per pound.
   pound.    pound.
      Books, catalogs, seeds, cuttings, etc ... ... ... 8 cents per 10 cents per (---) 10 cents per pound
   pound.    pound.
      Minimum charge per piece ... ... ... 1 cent (----) 1 1/2 cents (7) 1 1/2 cents. (7)
      Annual bulk mailing fee ... ... ... ... $10 (----) $10
Mailings of certain non-profit organiza- ... ... ... ... ... 1 1/2 cents per 2 1 1/2 cents per 2
      tions. (7)    ounces.    ounces.
Congressional Record mailed by anyone 1 cent each (---) (---) (---) (---) (---) 1 cent each.
      from Washington D.C., as transient. (8)
Text Box:  
Text Box: 1.  In 1879 third-class matter embraced books, transient newspapers, and periodicals,          4.  From 1879 to 1888 rate on seeds, cuttings, etc., was the fourth-class rate rate of 1 cent     circulars, and other matter wholly in print not included in second-class matter, proof            per ounce.  In 1888 rate reduced to 1 cent per 2 ounces.  (Act of July 24, 1888 (25 Stat     sheets, corrected proof sheets, and manuscript copy accompanying the same.  In                347).     1884 separate rates re-established for transit matter.                                                                      5.  In 1955, Public Law 238 extended this rate to identification cards, tags, and other     In 1899 all letters written in point print or raised characters used by the blind, un-                       similar small articles.     sealed, became eligible for third-class rates.  This was extended to letters on sound        6.  Beginning 1928, "bulk rates" were established fir separately addressed identical pieces     reproduction in 1934.                                                                                                                                           mailed in quantities of not less than 20 lbs. or not less than 200 pieces, under     In 1914 the limit of weight for miscellaneous printed matter constituting third class                 regulations requiring facing ad separating by states, cities, etc., and payment of a bulk     was 4 pounds.  Parcels over 4 pounds came within fourth class.  Also in 1914, books           mailings fee of $10 for each calendar year     weighing over 8 ounces were placed in fourth class.  Also in 1914, books weighing            7.  Mailings of religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans        over 8 ounces were placed in fourth class at regular zone rates.                                                     or fraternal organizations or associations not organized for profit and none of the net     In 1925, third-class matter was construed as embracing  all matter not exceeding 8                income of which inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual.  The     ounces which is not in the first or second class.              unce wei