15 July 2010

New Monarch butterfly stamp for "nonmachinable" letters


This is a 64-cent stamp, intended for use on irregularly-shaped envelopes.  The 20-cent surcharge is the penalty you pay for not using a standard size/shape envelope.  The USPS explains the factors that define a "nonmachinable" letter:
* It is a square letter (the minimum size for a square envelope is 5 x 5 inches.)
* It is too rigid - does not bend easily
* It has clasps, string, buttons, or similar closure devices
* It has an address parallel to the shorter dimension of the letter
* It contains items such as pens that cause the surface to be uneven
* The length divided by height is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5
This is being done in conjunction with manufacturers of such irregularly-shaped envelopes:
The U.S. Postal Service today announced the first in a new series of postage stamps that will make it easier for card customers to know how much postage to put on their envelopes.  Participating manufacturers will print a silhouette image of a butterfly on their envelopes, which will start to appear in retail stores in mid-summer, making it easy for customers to understand the new butterfly stamp or equivalent postage is all that is needed to mail the card.
Please note that this is for your benefit.

3 comments:

  1. How long do you suppose FedEx or UPS would have lasted if they were run like the federal government runs the Post Office?

    ReplyDelete
  2. SWEEEEEEEEEEEET! I love sending odd-shaped letters! Now I have a pretty stamp to put on them. Excellent!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How well is the government running the military if you oppose government run entities? Last time I checked, I can't mail a letter through FedEx or UPS for $0.44.

    ReplyDelete

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