France
Particulars of the earlier rates of postage charged on printed matter in France cannot now be ascertained, but they appear always to have been lower than the rates for letters. Before the Revolution an octavo book could be sent for any distance for 12 sous, and the postage on circulars was less than a centime.[471]
By the decrees of 17-22 August 1791, a rate for daily newspapers of 8 deniers the sheet was established, and a rate of 12 deniers the sheet for other newspapers and for periodical publications. During the succeeding years the rates were modified a number of times. In 1796 the following rates were established:—
- 4 centimes the sheet for newspapers;
- 5 centimes the sheet for unbound books, catalogues, and prospectuses.[472]
A distinction was always made between ordinary printed matter and periodical publications.
In 1827 the size of the sheet which was the basis of the charge was fixed at 25 square decimetres. The system of charge by weight was applied to printed matter in 1856, with the following rates:—
- 1 centime for each 5 grammes up to 50 grammes
- 10 centimes from 50 to 100 grammes
- 1 centime for each 10 grammes beyond 100 grammes.
These rates were increased by some 50 per cent. in 1871. After the establishment of the Universal Postal Union the rates in the internal service were in some cases higher than those in the international service, and it became advantageous to commercial men to post their packets abroad. The French administration were then required under the international convention to distribute them in France without receiving any postage.[473] This anomalous situation was put an end to in 1878, when the following rates were established:—
When sent under band—
- 1 centime for each 5 grammes up to 20 grammes
- 5 centimes from 20 grammes to 50 grammes;
- 5 " for each 50 grammes or fraction of 50 grammes thereafter.
When sent in open envelopes—
5 centimes for each 50 grammes or fraction of 50 grammes.
The rates have since been reduced, and are now as follow:—
- 2 centimes for packets not exceeding 15 grammes in weight
- 3 " between 15 grammes and 50 grammes
- 5 "" 50 grammes and 100 grammes
- 5 " for each 100 grammes or fraction of 100 grammes thereafter.
The number of packets of printed matter has increased rapidly, as the subjoined table shows:—
| Number of Packets of Ordinary Printed Matter | |
|---|---|
| 1877 | 195,148,116 |
| 1883 | 315,315,725 |
| 1889 | 406,252,198 |
The administration are given power to delay the despatch or transmission of packets of ordinary printed matter should circumstances render that course desirable.
In 1827 a special rate of 5 centimes for those delivered locally, and 10 centimes for others, was conceded to certain formal printed documents, such as notifications of births, marriages, or deaths. In 1856, to these were added prospectuses, catalogues, prices current, and cartes de visite. These documents must be sent under band or in open envelopes. The special rates on these classes of packets
have been continued. Under an order of the 26th November 1909 the rate for cartes de visite was made 2 centimes when sent under band, but formulas of courtesy must not appear on the cards. Cartes de visite sent in open envelopes are still charged 5 centimes.