Example: Mailer's statement shows 124,400 pieces in mailing which weigh 1,360 pounds, 10 ounces. A single piece weighs 0.175 ounce. Convert weight to ounces: 1,360 × 16+10=21,770. Weight of 100 pieces: 0.175 X 100=17.5. 21,770-17.5=1,244. 1,244 × 100=124,400 pieces. (4) Agreement with mailing statement. The result of either of these methods of computation should agree with the number of pieces shown on the statement of mailing. If they do not agree the matter will be taken up with the mailer and, if necessary, further examination and verification will be made. (5) Tare. Tare includes sacks, cartons or other containers, hand trucks, skids, or similar pieces of equipment upon which the mail may be placed during the weighing operation. The standard weights for new sacks are 3 pounds, 7 ounces for a No. 1 size; 2 pounds, 8 ounces for a No. 2 size; and 1 pound, 12 ounces for a No. 3 size. [26 F.R. 11567, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 27 F.R. 9058, Sept. 12, 1962; 28 F.R. 1474, Feb. 15, 1963; 31 F.R. 3119, Feb. 25, 1966; 31 F.R. 11144, Aug. 23, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966] § 144.6 Additional services. Postage may be paid by means of permit imprints on matter which is entitled to be registered or sent as certified, insured, or COD mail. [26 F.R. 11567, Dec. 6, 1961. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966] (a) Distributed outside the mail and as enclosures. Since permit imprints indicate that the matter on which they appear has had postage paid thereon under the permit imprint system, they must not ordinarily appear on matter which has not had postage so paid thereon, as, for example, matter which is circulated by means other than mail or which is circulated as an enclosure with other matter either by mail or by means other than mail. Permit imprints may appear on address labels, wrappers, envelopes, and other containers, and on complete mailing pieces, which have not had postage paid thereon under the permit imprint system, provided it would be impracticable to omit the permit imprint, as, for example, when envelopes are shipped from a printer to a permit imprint permit holder. (b) Place of acceptance. Permit imprint matter will be accepted for mailing only at the post office shown in the permit imprint except when company permit imprints are used as provided for by § 144.3(c) or when arrangements for acceptance at other post offices are made under the provisions of § 144.8. (c) Nonpermit mailings. Permit imprints must be obliterated from matter which is mailed as nonpermit imprint matter prepaid with postage by means of stamps or meter stamps. [32 F.R. 13662, Sept. 29, 1967] § 144.8 Optional procedure for accepting permit imprint mail. (a) Objective. The purpose of this optional procedure is to provide for the acceptance of permit imprint mail using the minimum amount of space, time, and manpower, and utilizing the latest developments in mechanization, facilities, and transportation while maintaining adequate control of the collection of correct postage charges. (b) Procedure. Weighing of the entire mailing on scales is not required. Postage is computed from the mailers' "Mailing Statement," Form 3602 or "Mailing Statement-4th Class Bulk Rates," Form 3605, which must always show the total number of pieces. The total computed weight must also be shown when it is known that the minimum per piece postage charge will not apply. (c) Verification. Sample pieces from each mailing shall be weighed by a post office employee, either at the mailers' plant or at the post office, to determine whether the pound or the minimum per piece postage charges apply. Post office employees may be sent on rotating assignments to the mailers' plants to weigh sample pieces and observe preparation of mail by mailers only when the mail is not to be delivered to the post office for dispatch or when considered necessary and authorized in writing by Regional Directors. Mailers must maintain for a 3year period, and make available for inspection and audit upon request of post office officials, all production and billing records relating to any particular mailing. A sample piece from the mailing must also be available. (d) Limited use of optional procedure. The optional procedure must be approved by the Regional Director in each case. It will be approved only when the mailers can make one or more of the following arrangements which are mutually beneficial to the mailers and the postal service: (1) Loading at the mailers' plant the major portion of the mailings into single or combination destination trailers with any remaining portion transported at the mailers' expense and risk from the plant to an acceptance place such as a special acceptance facility or sectional center facility designated by the Regional Director. (2) Transportation of the entire mailing at the mailers' expense and risk from the plant to the acceptance place designated by the Regional Director. (3) Merger by mailers of different varieties and classes of mailing pieces into direct sacks which could not be prepared if the pieces were mailed separately. (4) Unusual arrangements for which the Regional Director has obtained approval from the Classification and Special Services Division, Bureau of Operations. [32 F.R. 7438, May 19, 1967] § 145.1 Commemorative stamps. (a) Description. Commemorative stamps are postage stamps issued in limited quantities to focus attention on historical places, events, or personages. Widespread use of these stamps by the American public is encouraged by the Department in order that our ideals, progress, and heritage, as reflected in our stamps, are carried throughout the world. They do not displace regular stamps of like denomination, but are provided on request, if available. (b) Commemorative stamp supplies. Postmasters shall carefully evaluate the philatelic demand for new stamps and shall forward a separate requisition for stock needed in addition to the automatic distribution in accordance with notices which appear in the Postal Bulletin, so that ample supplies will be available at all post offices on the day following official first-day sale. Accountable paper depositories shall make certain less-thanbulk quantities of stamps are supplied to post offices in time to permit sales the day after the official first-day sale. (c) Sale of commemorative stamps. Commemorative stamps will be sold to meet the public demand until supply is exhausted, as follows: (1) Window service. In post offices where full or part-time philatelic window service is provided, the sale of plate numbers and marginal markings shall be restricted according to the instructions outlined by the Philatelic Sales Unit. When notice is published in Postal Bulletin of removal of a stamp from sale in the Philatelic Sales Unit, the item will be immediately withdrawn from the philatelic window of post offices and the stock sold for regular postage purposes. (2) Plate number blocks. Plate number blocks are the stamps (usually requested in blocks of four) located on one corner of a sheet of stamps with a plate number printed on the margin. Stamp clerks must not remove plate number blocks in advance from a large number of sheets for the benefit of individual purchasers. Plate blocks may be laid aside, however, as sheets are broken for regular sale purposes and may be sold as an accommodation to local stamp collectors. (3) Outside sales of commemorative stamps. Postmasters shall not accept mail orders for postage stamps from patrons outside the limits of the area served by their post office, and any such requests shall be returned to the sender calling attention to the services provided by the Philatelic Sales Unit, City Post Office, Washington, D.C. 20013. § 145.2 The philatelic sales unit. (a) Establishment and purpose. The Philatelic Unit was established on November 25, 1921, to make available to stamp collectors U.S. postage stamps of selected quality. Stamps sold by the Unit have been selected for good centering and are the best available. (b) Stamps available. In addition to stamps of the ordinary series, the Unit has for sale commemorative, airmail, special delivery, and migratory-bird hunting stamps. To obtain a list of items available for sale, patrons should send a self-addressed stamped envelope and a request to the Philatelic Sales Unit, City Post Office, Washington, D.C. 20013. The list is revised when a new stamp is announced or an old one withdrawn. (c) Order for stamps. All stamps are for sale at face value plus postage and handling charges listed below, for mail orders where domestic rates apply: 1 to 500 stamps.-- 30,001 to 100,000 stamps. Over 100,000 stamps.. $0.50 1.00 1.50 2.50 3.50 6.50 16.50 22.50 1 Plus 20 cents per 1,000 stamps over 30,000. A flat charge of 75 cents will be made on each order for registration, regardless of value of shipment, where this protection is desired. All mail orders will be returned by official mail, and postage stamps will not be affixed to covering envelopes. Address orders to Philatelic Sales Unit, City Post Office, Washington, D.C. 20013. (d) Remittance. Remittance should be by money order, cashier's check, or of new (a) Notification. Issuance stamps is announced by notices displayed in the lobbies of post offices, in the Postal Bulletin, and through the press and philatelic periodicals. (b) First-day sale. A post office selected because of some historical connection with the person or event commemorated is authorized to have exclusive sale of a new stamp on its first day of sale. All other post offices may sell the stamp the following day. (c) First-day covers. (1) First-day covers are envelopes bearing a new stamp canceled on its first day of sale with a special die reading "First Day of Issue." Patrons who want first-day cancellations of a new stamp should send addressed envelopes to the postmaster in the city where the starp is to be placed on sale, with remittance to cover the cost of stamps. (See § 145.2(d).) (2) Cover envelopes should be of ordinary letter size and each must be properly addressed. Place an enclosure of postal-card thickness in each envelope, and either turn in the flap or seal it. Endorse the envelope, enclosing the covers to the postmaster, "First-Day Covers." Put a pencil notation in the upper right corner of each cover to show the number of postage stamps to be stuck there. (3) With orders for first-day covers, do not include requests for uncanceled stamps. (4) The Philatelic Sales Unit does not service first-day covers. (a) How stamps are canceled. Postmasters will cooperate with stamp collectors by furnishing clean and legible postmarks. They will give special attention to mail bearing an endorsement that it is of philatelic value or to a request for a light cancellation. Stamps must be canceled sufficiently to protect the postal revenue, but this should be accomplished without excessive defacement and with a minimum number of impressions. (b) Plain cards or slips of paper. Postmarks will not be placed on plain slips of paper or plain cards submitted for philatelic or other purposes. (c) Picture post cards (maximum cards). Picture post cards with the stamp stuck on the face of the card rather than on the address side are known as maximum cards. Postmasters may cancel these cards and hand them back to the person presenting them. Maximum cards are considered to be collectors' items and must be given special care in canceling. (d) Preparation requirements. Post cards, postal cards, and envelopes submitted for philatelic or other purposes must bear complete addresses, and postage at the applicable rate, to be postmarked. (See § 146.5(a) of this chapter for postage on mail to be canceled with a special cancellation.) After they are postmarked they may be either dispatched or handed back to the person presenting them. This paragraph (d) does not apply to any arrangements made by the Department under §§ 145.3 and 145.5. (e) Holding the mail. Postmasters will not hold mail to comply with pa tron's requests that the mail be postmarked on a particular date, except as provided for under §§ 145.3 and 145.5. § 145.5 Inaugural covers. (a) First flights-(1) Cachets authorized. (i) The Post Office Department recognizes events such as new air service by applying cachets on inaugural covers. Official cachets of distinctive commemorative design are authorized, by publication of a notice in the Postal Bulletin, if notification is received from the carrier at least 20 days before the scheduled date of the new service. (ii) Cachets are authorized for: (a) All stop points on a new airmail route. (b) New stop points on an existing route or on an additional segment. (c) Events of national aviation interest. (1) (2) Where cachets may be used. Official cachets are authorized for use at post offices and airport mail facilities on covers actually dispatched on the inaugural flights. (ii) One or more of the following points may be authorized to use official cachets: (a) Terminal points. Cachets will be applied to covers dispatched on the actual inaugural flight. (b) Intermediate points. Cachet will be applied to covers dispatched to the actual inaugural flights in each direction. Directional service is not applicable to events of national aviation interest. If service is inaugurated in only one direction, cachet will not be used when service is established in the other direction at a later date. (3) Preparation of covers. (i) Covers must be individually addressed to a post office. (11) Covers must bear postage at the airmail letter rate. (iii) Each envelope should contain a uniform enclosure of the approximate weight of a postal card to assure a good impression. (iv) A space should be provided on the address side, at least 4 inches to the left of the right end of the envelope and 12 inches to the left of the innermost stamp to permit a clear impression of the postmark. (v) A clear space 22 by 21⁄2 inches must appear to the left of the postmark and address area for application of the cachet. If this clear space is not provided, the cachet will not be applied. (4) Submission of covers. (i) Send the items for inaugural cachets under cover to the postmaster or superintendent, airport mail facility, at the point where service is to be inaugurated. Envelope enclosing items for cachet should bear endorsement "First Flight Covers or Philatelic Mail." (ii) Include a letter requesting the holding of the covers for the inaugural service and stating the cachet desired. (iii) Indicate directional service desired, if applicable. (See subparagraph (5) (i) of this paragraph.) (5) Compliance with collectors requests (i) Directional covers. Requests of collectors for dispatch in a particular direction will be complied with to the greatest extent practicable. No directional service is available for events of national aviation interest. (ii) Point-to-point covers. Requests of collectors for point-to-point covers will not be observed. Request that a dispatching office send one each of several covers to each stop point will not be honored. (iii) Direction not specified. In the absence of specific requests, covers will be dispatched on the actual first flight, regardless of direction. (iv) Incomplete instructions. If the collector's request is not clear, covers will be dispatched in accordance with the judgment of the dispatching office. (v) Color of ink. Requests for the use of a color of ink other than that authorized by the Post Office Department can not be complied with. The authorized color of ink will be used in applying the cachet to all covers. (vi) Position of cachet. Cachets will be applied legibly and neatly to left portion of address side of cover. Cachets will not be applied to: (a) Covers for immediate return to sender; covers must receive dispatch on first flight. (b) Covers bearing a previous official or unofficial cachet. (c) Covers lacking sufficient clear space for application of cachet without obscuring the address. (d) Double postal or post cards intended for return reply purposes. (e) Covers received after first flight. (f) Covers on which postage is not fully prepaid. (g) Anything other than an inaugural cover. (vii) Backstamping. All inaugural covers will be backstamped at a designated post office and forwarded to address destination. Requests for additional or special backstamping will not be honored. (b) First highway post office trips(1) Announcement of service. The Post Office Department recognizes events such as new HPO service by applying special postmarks to inaugural covers. A notice that new service will be established is published in the Postal Bulletin when the decision to establish service is made, far enough in advance of the beginning date so that the notice will reach most subscribers in time to permit them to send covers for dispatch on first trips. (2) Special postmark. No official cachets are applied to first-trip covers, but when time permits procuring distinctive first-trip postmarking stamps for each trip, impressions of them are used to postmark all covers carried on the first trips. (3) Preparing covers. Prepare covers as described in paragraph (a) (3) of this section except postage will be at the firstclass rate. (4) Submitting covers. Patrons should send first-trip covers to the postmaster at the initial terminal of the trip on which the covers are to be carried, with a letter or note instructing the postmaster to dispatch covers on the desired trip. (5) Complying with collectors' requests. (i) All covers received at the initial post office or by the crew en route will be carried to the end of the run and dispatched to addressees from that point. Requests for different dispatch will not be honored. No backstamps will be applied to first-trip HPO covers. (ii) The first-trip stamp is evidence that the cover was carried on the trip indicated. § 145.6 Stamp exhibits. (a) Loan exhibits. The Post Office Department has a set of valuable stamp exhibit frames which are available for display at stamp exhibitions and conventions. These are sent upon request to national and international exhibits as well as to the conventions of the larger stamp societies. Requests should be addressed to the Director, Division of Philately, Post Office Department, Washington, D.C. 20260. |