This article provides an overview of the principal mail rates and fees to the United States in effect from May 1, 1953 to March 31, 1954.
1. Surface Letter Rate
The surface letter rate was 4 cents for the first ounce.
Alfred to Pacoima, Calif., November 4 1953
4 cents surface letter rate
Sarnia to Manistique, Mich., August 28 1953
National Revenue, Canada correspondence
4 cent "G" overprint
The letter was opened, resealed, and forwarded to Aylmer, Ont.,
U.S. 3 cent stamp cancelled September2, 1953
2. Air Mail Letter
The air mail letter rate was 7 cents for the first ounce.
Montreal to Parckersburg, W. Virginia, January 25, 1954
7 cents air mail letter rate
Quebec to San Antonio, Texas, March 15, 1954
Shortpaid 1 cent and taxed 2 cents (double the deficiency)
3. Post Card
The surface post card rate was 3 cents.
Saskatoon to New York, December 7, 1953
3 cents surface post card rate
4. Printed Matter
The printed matter rate was 2 cents for the first two ounces.
Combermere to St. Paul, Minn., December 3 1953
2 cents printed matter rate
5. Special Services
a) Registration
The registration fee was 20 cents providing up to $25 indemnity.
Ottawa to East Greenwich, R.I., March 24 1954
24 cents paying 4 cents surface letter rate + 20 cents registration
Bedford to Caldwell, N.J., January 2 1954
24 cents paying 4 cents surface letter rate + 20 cents registration
Kitchener to New York, September 3 1953
27 cents paying 7 cents air mail letter rate + 20 cents registration
b) Special Delivery
The special delivery fee was 10 cents.
Winnipeg to Milwaukee, May 23 1953
17 cents paying 7 cents air mail letter rate + 10 cents special delivery fee