A. Quantity Third Class Printed Matter
In addition to the standard printed matter rates, the Post Office provided a discount rate for quantity mailings. Called a "Special Rate" in the 1964 regulations amendments and " Quantity Mailing Rate" in the 1968 amendments, mailers identified such items as "Bulk Mail". This article considers the quantity printed matter rates for the following periods:
1. April 1, 1964 to September 30, 1967
2. October 1, 1967 to October 31, 1968
3. November 1, 1968 to June 30 1971
4. From July 1 1971
1. April 1, 1964 to September 30, 1967
The "Standard" printed matter rate was 3 cents for the first two ounces. The "Special Rate" of 2 1/2 cents for the first two ounces and 1 cent for each additional two ounces, and was applicable if the following conditions were met:
- 2500 pieces or more
- addressed to specific addresses in Canada
- sorted into areas of delivery as required by the postmaster at the point of mailing
Richmond Hill to Toronto, November 13, 1964
2 1/2 cent printed matter "Special Rate"
Meter with 2 1/2c value
2. October 1, 1967 to October 31, 1968
The rate for the first two ounces remained at 2 1/2 cents, but the rate for each additional 2 ounces increased from 1 cent to 1 1/2 cents.
The 7 cent Time-Life bulk mail item below is undated but was likely sent before October 31, 1968 since the facsimile Stockholm cancellation is dated April 8, 1968.
7 cents was the fourth step special printed matter rate, i.e., greater than 6 0z. and equal to or less than 8 ounces.
Rate analysis:
1st two ounces...................................................2 1/2 cents
Next three weight steps (@ 1 1/2 cents per step) .....4 1/2
Total...................................................................7 cents
2. November 1, 1968 to June 30 1971
The 1968 third class rate regulation amendments referred to the "Special Rate" as the "Quantity Rate".
The "Quantity" printed matter rate was 4 cents (Standard 5 cents) for the first two ounces and 3 cents for each additional two ounces, and applicable if the following conditions were met:
- 10,000 pieces or more
- addressed to specific addresses in Canada
- sorted into areas of delivery as required by the postmaster at the point of mailing
"Bulk" mailing
4 cents quantity rate for the first two ounces
Franked with 4c precancelled sheet stamp
The next example received a 4 cent meter franking to pay the quantity rate:
Stratford Festival bulk mailing, February 24, 1974
"BULK-en nombre"
3. From July 1 1971
Third Class Mail Regulations were amended (SOR/71-340). The previous quantity mail rate conditions and rates were revoked and the following was substituted:
Rate Per Item (in cents)
The Quantity Mailing Rate: (applicable to all Domestic Third Class Mail where the initial mailing
(a) consists of
i) 5,000 identical pieces or more for delivery within one Province, or
ii) 10,000 identical pieces or more for delivery within more than one Province;
(b) is addressed to specific addresses in Canada; and
(c) is prepared and bundled into areas of delivery as required by the Postmaster at the point of mailing)
Per item...............................................................................................2
Plus.....................................................................................................23
per pound calculated on the total weight of the mailing, or
per item.............................................................................................5
whichever is greater
The quantity rate mailing below was franked with a 5 cent meter on November 6, 1971.
Richmond Hill quantity mailing 5 cents for the first two ounces
This covered was identified as a bulk mailing and was therefore mailed after June 30, 1971.
Franked with the 5 cent precancelled coil stamp
B . Householder Mail
Third class matter could be addresses simply "Householder" or "Boxholder" without any further address. The postmaster had the duty to distribute the pieces of a mail.
1. April 1 1964 - October 31 1968
The rate was 2 cents for the first two ounces.
Matheson to Shillington, February 10, 1965
2 cents for the first 2 oz. boxholder rate
$1.60 paying for 80 pieces of mail to be delivered at the General Delivery and to Boxholders
2. From November 1 1968
The householder mail rate increased from 2 cents to 3 cents for the first two ounces on November 1, 1968.
$13.50 postage affixed to Householder Mail label and addressed to the Postmaster, Geraldton, November 18, 1971. The mailer (Fortier Saw Sales) requested delivery to 450 boxholders.
450 items x 3 cents/item = $13.50