Wish You Were Here: Exhibits Throughout the Hospital: The Medical Museum: University of Iowa Health Care

Wish You Were Here

Domestic Rates for Postal Service, 1775-2000

Prior to the middle of the 19th century, rates were based on the number of sheets in a letter and the distance it was traveling. In1845, rates were based on the weight of a letter and the distance it was traveling. Beginning in 1863, domestic letter rates became Òuniform,Ó that is, they were based solely on weight, regardless of distance. Postage listed below is in cents.

Letters

Effective Date
March 3, 1863
March 3, 1883

July 1, 1885
November 3, 1917
July 1, 1919
July 6, 1932
August 1, 1958
January 7, 1963
January 7, 1968
May 16, 1971
March 2, 1974

Per 1/2 Ounce
3
2

Per Ounce
2
3
2
3
4
5
6
8
10

September 14, 1975
December 31, 1975
May 29, 1978
March 22, 1981
November 1, 1981
February 17, 1985
April 3, 1988
February 3, 1991
January 1, 1995
January 10, 1999

First Ounce
10
13
15
18
20
22
25
29
32
33

Each Additional Ounce
9
11
13
17
17
17
20
23
23
22

9. State University Hospital
Iowa City, Iowa
Constructed 1898 - currently Seashore Hall

Postal cards (Postal Service Issued) and Postcards (Privately Manufactured)

Effective Date
May 1, 1873
July 1, 1898
November 3, 1917
July 1, 1919
April 15, 1925
July 1, 1928
January 1, 1952
August 1, 1958
January 7, 1963
January 7, 1968
May 16, 1971
March 2, 1974
September 14, 1975
December 31, 1975
May 29, 1978
March 22, 1981
November 1, 1981
February 17, 1985
April 3, 1988
February 3, 1991
January 1, 1995
January 10, 1999

Postal Cards
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7
9
10
12
13
14
15
19
20
21

Postcards
-
1
2
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7
9
10
12
13
14
15
19
20
21

http://www.usps.gov/history/hist4_5.htm

Iowa Avenue showing fountain
10. Iowa Avenue showing the fountain
circa 1900

Last modification date: Mon Jun 5 13:48:03 2006
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/medmuseum/wallexhibits/wishyou/domesticrates.html