This post deals with domestic rates in effect from 1973 to 1977, the era of the caricature definitives.
Organization
Most rates were increased during the caricature definitives' period, making a rate study interesting and challenging.
1. Letter Rate
The initial domestic letter rate was 8 cents for the first ounce was increased to 10 cents on September 1, 1976. The 10 cent rate was short lived and increased to 12 cents six months later on March 1, 1977.
a) January 1, 1972 - August 31, 1976
The domestic letter rate was 8 cents for the first ounce.
Toronto local letter, May 6, 1976
8 cents domestic letter rate
Halifax to London, October 1, 1974
8 cents domestic letter rate
8 cents stationery
Post Card
The reduced post card rate was abolished on November 1, 1968. The rate for post cards was the same as the 1st weight step letter rate.
8 cent rate
Postage Due
Short paid 2nd Weight Step Letter Rate
Short paid 2nd Weight Step Letter Rate
The greater than 1 oz., equal to or less than 2 oz. rate was 14 cents.
Winnipeg to London, October 2, 1974
14 cents 2nd weight step rate
Shortpaid 6 cents and taxed double the deficiency 12 cents
Unpaid
Vancouver to Kincardine
Unpaid 8 cent letter rate, due 16 cents
Postage due stamps cancelled Kincardine, August 8, 1975
Port Stanley to Aylmer West, May 22, 1974
The U.S. stamp was invalid, thus an unpaid letter. Rated 16 cents due
Due stamp affixed and received Aylmer West general delivery handstamp May 24, 1974
St. Thomas to Aylmer West, August 28, 1975
Unpaid and rated 16 cents due
8 cent caricature stamps paying the postage due and cancelled with Aylmer West POCON, August 29, 1975
Notice of Postage Due
Unpaid and shortpaid mail deficiencies were often collected by leaving a "Notice of Postage Due" card with the addressee who was to affix the amount due on the card and mail it to the post office.
Amount due 24 cents
Postage due card mailed Postmaster, Copper Cliff, February 26, 1976
Business Reply Mail
i) November 1, 1968 - August 31, 1976
The business reply fee was 2 cents for each item in addition to the postage rate.
Canada Trust business reply mail
Ottawa local reply, August 13, 1975
10 cents paying 8 cents letter rate + 2 cents business reply mail fee
Due stamp not cancelled (the usual practice)
ii) September 1, 1976 - March 31, 1978
The business reply fee was increased to 3 cents per item in addition to the postage rate.
Terrace to Calgary, September 2, 1977
1st weight step business reply letter
15 cents : 12 cents letter rate + 3 cents business reply rate
The three undated items shown below and addressed to Director-Taxation, Toronto, were mailed during the March 1, 1977 and March 31, 1978 letter rate period.
T 23 cents : 20 cents 2 oz rate + 3 cents business reply fee
T 33 cents : 30 cents 4 oz rate + 3 cents business reply fee
T 47 cents : 44 cents 6 oz rate + 3 cents business reply fee
b) September 1, 1976 - February 28, 1977
The domestic letter rate was increased to 10 cents for the first ounce.
Conestogo to Waterloo, September 8, 1976
10 cent domestic letter rate
Special Order stationery
Montreal, October 12, 1976
10 cents domestic letter rate
2. Printed Matter : Third Class Mail
a) January 1, 1972 - August 31, 1976
The printed matter rate was 6 cents for the first two ounces.
6 cents printed matter rate
Toronto to Surrey, October 17, 1975
6 cents printed matter rate
6 cents precancel paying the printed matter rate (undated)
b) September 1, 1976 - February 28, 1977
The domestic printed matter rate was increased from 8 cents to 10 cents for the first 2 ounces.
Bowmanville to Cobourg, January 27, 1977
8 cents printed matter rate paid with 8 cents precancelled stamp
Burlington to Greening, December 18, 1976
8 cents printed matter rate
Returned and taxed 8 cents (single the rate for returned printed matter)
3. Bulk Mail
The bulk mail rate was 5 cents for up to 2 ounces from July 1, 1971 - February 28, 1977.
Care Canada bulk mail
Montreal, April 1976
5 cents bulk mail rate
Montreal undated 5 cents meter
4. Fourth Class Mail : Parcels
[I will be providing further information regarding these rates]
Ottawa to Coral Harbour, NWT, July 8, 1876
$1.20
Cambridge Bay, NWT, to Spence Bay, NWT, February 27, 1976
90 cents
Hall Beach, NWT, to Ottawa, September 22, 1976
$2.00
5. Change of Address Cards
The Post Office provided change of address cards which could be used domestically at no cost to the consumer.
Change of Address, Victoria, October 27, 1974
Change of Address, Vancouver, March 31, 1975
6. Services
a) Registration Fee
i) June 1, 1967 - August 31, 1976
The minimum registration fee was 50 cents.
London to Guelph, December 23, 1974
8 cents letter rate + 50 cents minimum registration fee
ii) September 1, 1976 - March 31, 1977
The minimum registration fee was increased from 50 cents to 75 cents
Cowansville to Don Mills, January 26, 1977
10 cents letter rate + 75 cents minimum registration fee
Agincourt to Montreal, february 12, 1977
10 cents letter rate + 75 cents minimum registration fee
b) Acknowledgment of Receipt
i) June 1, 1967 - August 31, 1976
The AR fee at time of mailing was 15 cents.
Acknowledgment of receipt of item mailed from Prince George to White Horse, April 30, 1975
15 cents AR rate
Acknowledged May 5, 1975
The AR fee subsequent to mailing was 25 cents.
25 cents AR subsequent to mailing rate ( Newmarket meter January 20, 1976)
AR Fee Paid on Registered Item
In 1975, Canada Post Office began using AR cards with postage paid indicia. The AR fee was paid on the registered item rather than on the card.
Villes St-Georges to Scarborough, September 18, 1975
Domestic letter rate.............8 cents
Registration fee.................50 cents
AR fee.................................15 cents
ii) September 1, 1976 to March 31, 1978
The AR fee was 20 cents at time of mailing and 30 cents subsequent to mailing
[Not Shown]
c) Request For Additional Delivery
i) 25 cents fee
Registered mail sent from Los Angeles to Ottawa, February 4, 1975
Additional Delivery, February 13, 1975
25 cents Request for Additional Delivery fee
Registered mail from L'Orignal to Ottawa, March 8, 1976
Additional Delivery, March 10, 1976
25 cents Request for Additional Delivery fee
ii) 50 cent fee (From July, 1976?)
Registered letter from Ottawa Sub. No. 60, August 26, 1977
Additional Delivery, September 1, 1977
50 cents Request for Additional Delivery fee
Label 33-86-107 (7-76)
d. Special Delivery
i) June 1, 1967 - August 31, 1976
The special delivery fee was 40 cents.
8 cents letter rate + 40 cents special delivery fee
Special Delivery and Registered (98 cents)
ii) September 1, 1976 to March 31, 1977
The special delivery fee was increased to 60 cents.
Toronto local letter, March 3, 1977
60 cents special delivery fee + 12 cent letter rate
(The letter rate had increased from 10 cents to 12 cents on March 1, 1977)
e) Certified Mail
Canada Post introduced its "proof-of-delivery" certified mail service in 1973. Customers wishing the service purchased kits which consisted of a three part form:
1. The Canada Post record card which was kept on file for 18 months
2. The Proof-of-Delivery card which was mailed to the sender
3. The addressee's copy.
Two kinds of kits were available. The "letter kit" included an envelope for correspondence while the "multipurpose kit" consisted of a label which could be attached to oversized packages or parcels. When first introduced, the certified mail fee was 40 cents.
Letter Kit
Letter kit enclosure
40 cent value
Postage was to be paid on the Certified Mail envelope
Kapuskasing, 10 cents meter, January 7, 1977
Multipurpose Kit
Proof of Delivery Card
Upon receipt of the Certified Mail, the addressee signed the proof of delivery card, a copy of which was kept in Post Office records for 18 months. The card was mailed to the sender, providing proof-of-delivery.
Kapuskasing, November 10, 1973