Postal History Corner: Centennial Period Third Class Domestic Mail

Dozens of posts dealing with the Canadian Centennial definitive issue (1967 - 1973) have been published in the nearly four years Postal History Corner has been on-line. Many of the posts will be revamped. The original post dealing with Centennial period domestic letter rates was published on June 11, 2014.

Third class matter generally consisted of matter wholly in print. Also included were items partly printed and partly written, such as school examinations, and miscellaneous articles such as preserved specimens. Samples which were not of salable value could also be sent at the third class rate.

There were four third class mail rate periods during the Centennial era :

1) To September 30 , 1967
2) October 1, 1967 - October 31, 1968
3) November 1, 1968 - June 30, 1971
4) From July 1, 1971

1) To September 30, 1967

The third class rate was three cents for the first two ounces and 1 cent for each additional two ounces.

1st Weight Step

North Keppel to a local Rural Route address, August 3, 1967

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

Toronto local mail, March 22 ,1967

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

2nd Weight Step

Toronto local mail, September 18, 1967

"Printed Matter" handstamp

4 cents third class mail rate for up to 4 oz. (3c 1st 2oz. + 2c next 2 oz.)

2) October 1, 1967 - October 31, 1968

The first weight step rate remained at 3 cents for the first two ounces, but the subsequent steps increased from 1 cent to 2 cents for each additional two ounces.

Lac Briere to Montreal, August 19, 1968

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

Cooksville local advertising post card, October 3, 1967

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

Abbott Dear Doctor Card

To Ottawa, no cancellation because pre-cancelled stamp affixed

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

Jeweller pick-up card

Kitchener, May 10, 1968

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

Postal Stationery was commonly used for mailing printed matter.

3 cent postal stationery

Ottawa, November 28, 1967

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

3 cent precancelled postal stationery

Cap-de-la-Madeleine to Toronto, May 17, 1968

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

Undeliverable Printed Matter Returned to Sender

Returned printed matter was taxed an amount equal to the original postage charged.

Ottawa to Aylmer, December 19, 1967

3 cents domestic third class mail rate for two ounces

Unknown and returned

3 cents due was the amount of the third class rate

Insufficiently Paid Printed Matter

Taxation of insufficiently paid printed matter was double the deficiency.

Cooksville to Sawyerville, December 15, 1967

3 cents printed matter rate for the 1st two oz.

Unpaid and taxed 6 cents, double the deficiency

Sealed Against Inspection

Third class mail had to be put up in such a way as to admit the contents being easily examined. Matter that was completely sealed against inspection was treated as a letter and forwarded to the destination subject to the collection of double the deficient postage of the letter rate.

Victoria to Vancouver, October 19, 1967 or 1968

5 cents paying the 2nd weight step third class rate (up to 4 ounces)

The above printed matter mailing was sealed against inspection and was treated as an insufficiently paid 3 oz. forward letter.

3) November 1, 1968 - June 30, 1971

The third class rate increased from 3 cents to 5 cents for the first two ounces, and from 2 cents to 3 cents for each additional two ounces.

Windsor to Amherstburg, November 22, 1970

5 cents third class mail rate for 2 oz.

White Rock to Surrey, April 25, 1971

5 cents third class mail rate for 2 oz.

Yellowknife local, February 15, 1971

5 cents third class mail rate

Huntsville to Gravenhurst

5 cent precancelled sheet stamp

Edmonton local, September 8, 1969

5 cents third class mail rate for up to 2 oz.

5 cent precancelled coil stamp

Revalued Postal Stationery

Stocks of 3 cent postal stationery letters and post cards were revalued to 5 cents.

Ottawa,

5 cents third class mail rate

Election Card

Powell River to Gibbons, August 1969

5 cents third class mail rate

Victoria, May 15, 1970

5 cents third class mail rate

Redirected Third Class Mail

Redirection of third class mail was not liable to additional postage if handed back to the post office with a changed delivery at the moment of delivery or as soon as possible thereafter.

Regina to Vancouver, December 10, 1969

Redirected at Vancouver, December 17, 1969

Undeliverable Printed Matter Returned to Sender

Returned printed matter was taxed an amount equal to the original postage charged.

Toronto to "Elkhorn", Ontario, December 16, 1968

No Such Post Office in Ont.

Returned for better direction

Returned and charged 5 cents

The envelope was remailed in a new cover. The addressee wrote :

"Imagine having to pay 5c for return by post man + 5 cents again"

Vancouver, December 16, 1969

Returned and charged 5 cents

4) From July 1, 1971

The printed matter rate was 6 cents for the first two ounces and 3 cents for each additional two ounces. The 6 cent rate remained in effect until August 31, 1976.