365 / September 2017

Address letter for an unpaid packet sent February 14th 1877 from Stockholm to Strömstad. From January 1 st 1877 there was a new rate table for parcels with fewer zones than before. The postage for this parcel, weighing 7 skålpund and sent over 3 new zones, was 2 kr and 10 öre and was paid by the addressee on reverse with 2, 3, 6 öre and 2x 1 kr.

Prepaid single rate local letter sent October 5th 1877 within Upsala but readdressed to Westerås. Local postage was 3 öre but when readdressed it became a normal domestic letter requiring 12 öre postage. As the prepayment was 3 öre, the rest was 9 öre. Together with the notification fee, 6 öre, the total postage due became 9+6=15 öre. Franked on reverse with 3+12 öre, cancelled Westerås 8.10.1877. Readdressed letters with postage due are very rare.

Lot with two prepaid single rate letters both with postage due stamps used instead of normal postage. The first postmarked January 7th 1874 at the travelling post office U.W.H.J the first week after the postage due stamps came into use. The second, postmarked Westervik November 1st 1874 and sent to Upsala. Unusual letters both franked with 12 öre Postage due used as a normal stamp.

Notification form used for domestic letters which were charged with a notification fee of 6 öre. In this case the Postmaster affixed postage due stamps 1 + 3x 5 öre on the form instead of on the letter, this was against the regulations. Forms with affixed stamps are very rare.

Insufficiently prepaid double rate letter sent in December 1880 from Helsingborg to Wollsjö. The sender put this letter into a letter box, (manuscript notation on front "Lådbref Lösen 18 öre") the post office found that it was a double rate letter. Prepaid, the double rate applicable was 2x 12 öre=24 öre. As the sender had paid 12 öre. the postage due, including the notification fee of 6 öre, became 18 öre. This was paid by affixing stamps, 1,5 och 12 öre on reverse. The letter is opened up for display and are missing part of the backflap. 

Local letter sent April 10th 1889 within Stockholm franked with 4 öre Stockholm's City Post's postage stamp. By mistake, the sender put the letter in the ordinary letter-box instead of in the special one for the private Stockholm City Post. The letter was handed over to the City Post which was charged 5 öre. The City Post stamped "Lösen 5 öre" with RED straight line cancel, and that amount was later to be paid by the addresse on reverse, franked with 5 öre Stockholm 10.4.1889. Most unusual item.

Unpaid single rate letter sent December 21st 1886 from Rådmansö to Stockholm. Containing a report on birds sent to The Royal Academy of Science. Postage due paid with 2x 5 öre vertical pair.

Two different items with 11 öre Postage due with a combination of 5 öre missing postage + 6 öre notification fee. The first is a Local letter sent November 18th 1887 within Stockholm franked with 5+6 öre. The second is an insufficiently prepaid lettercard sent September 7th 1890 from Stockholm to Jäder franked with 2x 5 öre vertical pair + 1 öre.

Notification form postmarked Garpenberg October 7th 1884 and sent to the addressee informing that an insufficiently prepaid domestic letter had arrived and was to be picked up at the post office. This together with the proper, double rate letter. The postage due was 18 öre and was affixed to the back of the letter according to the rules. Some discolouration on the form. A very rare combination, possibly unique.

Official letter sent in February 1879 to Årröd. Without an official stamp the letter was not accepted as an official letter. However parish constables (=fjerdingsmen) were allowed to send unfranked letters to, among others, county sheriffs (=länsmen). Upon receipt these had to pay the normal postage but did not have to pay the notification fee. Postage due stamps on official letters are rare.