The Writer's Desk Book / Being a Reference Volume upon Questions of Punctuation, Capitalization, Spelling, Division of Words, Indention, Spacing, Italics, Abbreviations, Accents, Numerals, Faulty Diction, Letter Writing, Postal Regulations, Etc.

by William Dana Orcutt

CLASSES OF MAIL

DOMESTIC matter is divided into four classes, governed as follows:

First Class embraces letters, postal cards, post cards, all matter wholly or partly in writing or sealed against inspection. Rate, 2 cents for each ounce and fraction. Limit of weight, 4 pounds.

Second Class applies to newspapers and periodicals in their entirety bearing the printed statement “Entered at the post-office as second-class matter,” etc., when they are mailed by the public. Parts of publications are third-class matter. Additions may be made on the wrapper or the matter itself; there may be written or printed the name and address of the sender, preceded by the word “from”; the name and address of the person to whom sent; the words “sample copy” or “marked copy,” or both, as the case may be. On the matter itself the sender may place all that is permitted on the wrapper; correct typographical errors in the text; designate by marks, not by words, {130} a word or passage in the text to which it is desired to call attention. Other writing will subject the package to the first-class rate.

Rate 1 cent for each 4 ounces or fraction. Full prepayment required. No limit of weight.

Third Class includes unsealed books, newspapers and periodicals not admitted to the second class, circulars, miscellaneous printed matter on paper not having the nature of personal correspondence, and proof sheets, corrected proof sheets, and manuscript copy accompanying the same, engravings, lithographs, seeds, scions, cuttings, bulbs, roots, and plants. Also facsimile copies made by a mechanical process such as the printing press, electric pen, mimeograph, hektograph, copygraph, etc., provided that they are mailed at the post-office window in the minimum number of twenty identical copies separately addressed. If mailed elsewhere or in less number, first-class postage is required.

A circular may have in writing therein the name of the addressee or sender or date.

Corrections in proof sheets include the alteration of the text and insertion of new matter, as well as the correction of typographical and other errors. They include also marginal instructions to the printer necessary to the correction of the matter or its proper appearance in print. Part of an article may be entirely rewritten if that be necessary for {131} correction. Corrections must be upon the margin of or attached to the proof sheets. Manuscript of one article cannot be inclosed with proof or corrected proof sheets of another except at the first-class rate. Written designation of contents, such as “book,” “printed matter,” “photo,” is permissible upon the wrapper of mail matter of the third class.

A single card bearing the written name and address of the sender, or an envelope bearing a written or printed name and address of the sender, may be inclosed with a circular, catalogue, or other third-class matter without affecting the classification thereof. Public library books, otherwise mailable at the third-class rate, may bear any printed or written mark which may reasonably be construed as a necessary inscription for the purpose of a permanent library record.

Rate 1 cent each 2 ounces or fraction. Limit of weight, 4 pounds, except single books. Postage must be fully prepaid and great care exercised not to add any written words or figures except such as are permissible.

Parcel Post includes all (unsealed) matter not embraced in the three classes already enumerated, except seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, scions, and plants, on which the rate is one-half cent per ounce. Important changes are certain to be made from time to time during the experimental period, so readers are urged to secure the {132} latest information from their own post-office. The basic regulations at present are as follows:

SPECIAL STAMPS REQUIRED. Denominations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 and 75c. $1.

WEIGHT LIMIT: Eleven (11) pounds.

SIZE LIMIT: 72 inches, length and girth combined.

PARCELS MAY BE INSURED up to $50.00 by paying a fee of 10 cents.

RATES PER POUND: Depend on distance parcel is to be carried. See Table of Rates on page [162.]

MARKING: Parcels must bear name and address of sender, preceded by word “From.”

MAILING: Parcels exceeding 4 ounces in weight must be mailed at post-office.