1903 - 1911
This post is the second in a series of articles dealing with rates during the Edwardian period. The earlier post dealt with domestic rates.
1. Letter
The letter rate was 2 cents for each ounce.
American Patent and Promoting Co.
Brantford to Fort Thomas, Arizona Territory , December 9, 1908
2 cent letter rate to the United States
Fort Thomas, Arizona Territory, receiver
December 13, 1908
The Territory of Arizona existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state.
The Manitoba Anchor Frames Co. Ltd.
Winnipeg to Cincinnati, November 16, 1906
2 cents letter rate to the United States
Charles Cremin Sportsmen's and Angler' Guide
Nictau, N.B., to North Haven, Maine, August 31, 1911
2 cents letter rate to the United States
Parliamentary Librarian, House of Commons
Ottawa to Hartford, August 1, 1903
2 cents letter rate to the United States
House of Commons, August 1, 1903
The Leeming Miles Co., Limited
Montreal to New York, June 7, 1905
Stationery with embossed stamp
2. Post Cards
The post card rate to the United States was 1 cent.
a) To March 1907
Until March 1907, the United States Post Office did not permit writing on the address side of the post card. Cards with writing on the address side were charged the letter rate.
House of Assembly, Toronto to Altoona, Pa., August 21, 1906
1 cent post card rate to the United States
House of Assembly postmark
Writing on the picture side of the post card
Joseph Adlard Dubeau, Member of Parliament
House of Commons to Brooklyn, March 21, 1905
1 cent post card rate to the United States
House of Commons postmark
"Divided-Back" Post Card
Divided-Back post cards were cards with address and message on the same side of the post card. The U.S. did not permit these card until March, 1907.
Divided-Back post card
Fredericton to Arlington, Mass. August 27, 1906
Charged at the 2 cent letter rate
Taxed 1 cent, the difference between the letter rate (2 cents) and the post card rate (1 cent)
b) From March 1907
Canadian National Exhibition
Divided-Back post card mailed at the Canadian National Exhibition and addressed to Friendship, N.Y., September 3, 1908
1 cent post card rate to the United States
Can. National Exhib'n circular date stamp
September 3, 1908
Paquebot
Paquebot mail was correspondence mailed on the high seas. The article could be prepaid by means of the postage stamp of the country to which the vessel belonged. The post office receiving the ship mail stamped the items with its date stamp and added the word "PAQUEBOT"
Paquebot handstamp and Boston cancellation, August 25, 1909
The sender of the card had been in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Leather Post Card
Postal regulations required that post cards be made out of card board. Cards not conforming to the regulations were treated and taxed as letters.
"Just Arrived in Winnipeg"
Winnipeg to Dundee, Ill., March 16, 1905
2 cents correctly paying the letter rate
Reply-Paid Post Card
1 cent reply post card - reply half still attached
3. Printed Papers
The first step printed papers rate to the United States was 1 cent.
Montreal to the Consul General of France, United States (E.U.) [Washington, D.C.]
Undated roller cancellation
4. Special Services
a) Registration
The registration fee was 5 cents.
Toronto to New York, January 10, 1907
2 cents letter rate + 5 cents registration fee
Carleton Street, Toronto, to Cambridge, March 1, 1909
2 cents letter rate + 5 cents registration fee
Carleton Street, Toronto postmark
3 ounce registered letter
Ottawa to Milwaukee, October 1910
6 cents letter rate for 3 ounces + 5 cents registration fee
11 cents franking
b) Special Delivery
Until January 1, 1923, if special delivery service was required for a letter addressed to the United States or from the United States to Canada, the letter had to be franked with a 10 cent special delivery stamp of the receiving country.
New York to Montreal, February 20, 1909
2 cents letter rate to Canada + 10 cent Canadian Special Delivery stamp to pay the fee
The special delivery stamp was correctly cancelled in Montreal, February 21, 1909
