Issue Date: May 22, 1978

City: Memphis, TN

Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Printing Method: Photogravure

Perforations: 11

Color: Orange

 

“A” Definitive – 15¢: As postal costs increased, the Postal Service began to increase their rates for the various classes of mail. Before becoming effective, however, these rate increases had to be submitted to the Postal Rate Commission for approval. Often, the PRC would take as much as a year conducting studies and compiling data before accepting or rejecting the changes. If the rate increase was approved, the Postal Service then had to rush to design and produce the new stamps. In 1975, after the rate had changed from 10¢ to 13¢, the Postal Service printed this non-denominated stamp so it would be ready and waiting for the next rate change. A letter of the alphabet was used to represent the unknown rate, so the stamps could meet customer demand until new definitives bearing the actual rate were printed. When the rate increased in 1978 from 13¢ to 15¢, the first non-denominated stamp was put into use.

First Alphabet Rate Change Stamp 

In the years prior, other stamps had been issued non-denominated for impending rate changes. Because postage rates for late 1975 were uncertain, both of the Christmas stamps that year were issued without denominations. These were the first non-denominated US stamps.

As postal costs increased, the USPS began to increase their rates for the various classes of mail. Before becoming effective, however, these rate increases had to be submitted to the Postal Rate Commission for approval. Often, the PRC would take as much as a year conducting studies and compiling data before accepting or rejecting the changes. If the rate increase was approved, the Postal Service then had to rush to design and produce the new stamps.